Innbrücke

The Innbrücke is an international road bridge connecting Braunau am Inn, Austria and Simbach am Inn, Germany, spanning 272 meters across the Inn River. It features two traffic lanes and pedestrian sidewalks constructed of reinforced concrete.

The previous steel truss bridge was destroyed by Wehrmacht forces in 1945, after which United States forces operated a temporary pontoon bridge. The current concrete structure opened in 1950, replacing the temporary crossing permanently.

A sculpture by Dominik Dengl stands at the Simbach entrance, depicting the river deity Aenus riding a Huchen fish, reflecting how the waterway is woven into local identity. The artwork shows the significance of the river in regional culture.

Walking across is straightforward, with good sightlines along the river in both directions. On the Austrian side, a roundabout connects to the town center, while the German side links to Staatsstrasse 2112.

During the 2015 refugee crisis, the bridge was closed to vehicle traffic for three days due to exceptional border crossing activities. This episode illustrates how everyday infrastructure must respond when circumstances become extraordinary.

Location: Braunau am Inn

Location: Simbach am Inn

Inception: 1950

Official opening: 1950

Part of: Austria–Germany border

GPS coordinates: 48.26091,13.03393

Latest update: December 14, 2025 13:06