Wooden bridge at Essing, Wooden pedestrian bridge in Essing, Germany
The Wooden bridge at Essing is a pedestrian footbridge that crosses the Main-Danube Canal with a gently curved design. The bridge spans across the waterway with a width of about 3 meters and is supported by nine laminated timber beams anchored by three support pillars positioned below the waterline.
The bridge was built in 1986 after seven years of planning and preparation beforehand. It held the title of Europe's longest wooden bridge until another structure surpassed it in 2006.
The bridge bears the name Tatzelwurm, referencing a dragon-like creature from local folklore. This name choice reflects how the curved structure winds through the landscape like the legendary animal it references.
The bridge is open to both pedestrians and cyclists and offers an easy, level crossing over the canal. The structure is accessible year-round, though visitors should be cautious during wet conditions as the wooden surface can become slippery.
The bridge has an extraordinarily thin cross-section of only 65 centimeters in height, achieved through a clever engineering approach using laminated timber as tension bands. This design is uncommon and allows the structure to span across the water while appearing almost ethereal from a distance.
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