Krämerbrücke, Medieval footbridge in Erfurt, Germany
The Krämerbrücke is a footbridge over the Gera River lined with 32 half-timbered buildings arranged closely together along both sides. The structure extends about 79 meters and creates a narrow, covered passage with shops at street level and residential spaces above.
Built in 1325, the bridge formed part of the Via Regia trade route linking southern and northern Europe. It served as a crucial marketplace where merchants exchanged goods traveling between these distant regions.
The bridge functions as a working marketplace where artisans display their crafts and local specialties in small shops along the walkway. This blend of trade and daily activity shapes how people experience moving through the space.
The bridge is easiest to reach on foot from the old town center or by tram, with the surrounding area walkable in every direction. The narrow passages can get busy during peak times, so visiting early morning or late afternoon offers a quieter experience.
What sets this bridge apart is that roughly 80 people live permanently in the upper floors, making it one of Europe's last inhabited bridge structures. This continuous residential use gives the crossing a lived-in quality unlike most tourist destinations.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
