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 name Krämerbrücke, meaning "merchants' bridge", has been in common use since 1510. Street musicians have been permitted to play here since 1624, and they still perform during the Krämerbrückenfest, held on the third weekend of June around the bridge and the old town.

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.

The bridge has been continuously inhabited for over 500 years, longer than any other bridge in Europe. Of the 32 houses, all but numbers 15, 20, 24 and 33 belong to the city of Erfurt, which maintains the Stiftung Krämerbrücke; house 31 holds a permanent exhibition with a 1:100 model of the bridge.