Brücke, Road bridge in Würzburg, Germany

The Ludwigsbrücke is a stone arch bridge with five arches, each with a 36-metre span, three of which cross the Main; four piers support them, two standing in the river. Its total length is 205 metres, and the clearance for boats is 5.75 metres. A three-lane road and two tram lines share a single carriageway, with footpaths on both outer sides.

The bridge was built in the 19th century to connect different parts of Würzburg and support the city's growth. It remains protected as a monument, showing construction methods from that era.

The bridge is named after Ludwig III of Bavaria, not Ludwig I. Locals call it Löwenbrücke, Lion Bridge, for the four bronze lions at the two approaches, each weighing about 1.4 tonnes and cast by Ferdinand von Miller's foundry. A three-lane road and two tram lines share the same carriageway, with footpaths on both outer sides.

The bridge carries a three-lane road, two tram lines and footpaths on both outer sides, so pedestrians cross beside the traffic. It links Nikolausberg on the left bank with the old town and Sanderau on the right. The nearest alternative vehicle crossings are the Friedensbrücke to the north and the Konrad-Adenauer-Brücke to the south.

From the bridge, you get a good view of the river landscape and historic buildings along the banks. This vantage point is often overlooked, yet it shows how the city developed around the water.