High Bridges Holtenau, Road bridges in Kiel, Germany
High Bridges Holtenau are two parallel steel structures spanning the Kiel Canal and connecting the districts of Wik and Holtenau at about 42 meters height. Federal Road 503 crosses both structures, which also feature pedestrian and bicycle paths alongside the traffic lanes.
The first bridge, Prince Heinrich Bridge, opened in 1912 and replaced an earlier pontoon structure across the Kaiser Wilhelm Canal. A second bridge was added later to handle growing traffic and modern shipping demands.
The eastern bridge takes its name from the 1972 Olympic Games, as it was built specifically for the sailing competitions held in Kiel. This naming still reflects an important international event that shaped the city.
Both bridges are accessible on foot or by bicycle with dedicated pedestrian and cycle paths. A viewing platform at the southern ramp allows visitors to watch ships passing through the canal and observe the structure up close.
In November 2022, a harbor crane mounted on a cargo ship damaged both bridges by exceeding the maximum permitted height of 40 meters. This incident highlighted the fragility of this critical transport infrastructure.
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