Rheinbrücke Karls des Großen, Wooden bridge in Mainz, Germany
The Charlemagne Rhine Bridge was a wooden structure connecting Mainz and Kastel across the river and stretched approximately 750 meters in length. It rested on stone pillars that served as foundations and later protruded into the river for an extended period.
The ruler ordered construction between 803 and 813, building upon the remains of a former Roman bridge that had existed before the 5th century. The structure was designed to create an important transportation link connecting the regions on both sides of the river.
The bridge bore the name of the ruler who ordered its construction and symbolized connection between the riverbanks for Mainz residents. For centuries it shaped the city's character and became a defining landmark of the region.
The bridge site was located in central Mainz and easily accessible on foot, though crossing became difficult during times of high water levels. The stone pillars provided anchoring points for mill ships and other vessels that used the river.
The structure burned down in 813, possibly set ablaze by ferrymen who feared losing their livelihoods. This event prompted consideration of a stone reconstruction, marking the beginning of a shift toward more durable building methods.
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