Rheinbrücke Karls des Großen

The Charlemagne Rhine Bridge connected Mainz and Kastel across the Rhine River with a 750-meter wooden structure supported by stone pillars.

Between 803 and 813, Charlemagne ordered the construction of this bridge using the foundations of a former Roman bridge that existed until the 5th century.

The bridge represented a significant achievement in medieval engineering, combining Roman bridge construction techniques with contemporary Carolingian architectural methods.

The wooden deck of the bridge rested upon stone pillars, which remained partially visible in the Rhine until the 19th century and served as anchoring points for mill ships.

The bridge burned down in 813, possibly set ablaze by ferrymen concerned about losing their livelihood, leading Charlemagne to consider rebuilding it in stone.

Location: Mainz

GPS coordinates: 50.00620,8.27758

Latest update: March 19, 2025 23:58