Elbebrücke Barby

The Elbebrücke Barby is a railway viaduct crossing the Elbe River that links Barby with the Zerbst area. The structure has 16 openings and also allows pedestrians and cyclists to cross using a separate pathway.

Work on the bridge began in July 1875 and it was completed in 1877, at the time a feat of heavy steel construction. The Gutehoffnungshütte company from Oberhausen played a key role in manufacturing, marking a shift toward industrial growth in the region.

The bridge shows how industry and public access were meant to work together in the 1800s. Pedestrians and cyclists still use the same pathway that trains have traveled for generations.

The bridge is freely accessible for trains, pedestrians, and cyclists and offers good views of the river from above. It is best explored on foot or by bicycle to take in both banks and the structure at a leisurely pace.

The six middle arches in the river section each span about 65 meters and were built without modern equipment at the time. This scale was remarkable for its era and shows the engineering skill of the builders.

Location: Barby

Location: Zerbst

Inception: October 3, 1877

GPS coordinates: 51.97860,11.88440

Latest update: December 8, 2025 21:00