Traunstein arch railway bridge, Railway viaduct in Traunstein, Germany
The Traunstein arch railway bridge is a viaduct that crosses the Traun River with five semicircular arches supported by four massive stone pillars. The structure spans about 105 meters and rises approximately 25 meters above the water, carrying two railway tracks on its 8-meter-wide deck.
Construction of the viaduct began in 1858 using local conglomerate stone from nearby quarries as its primary material. The bridge was built as part of the Bavarian Maximilian Railway, establishing a vital link between Munich and Salzburg.
The structure has served as a popular subject for painters and photographers since its completion, with its distinctive form appearing in countless artworks from the period. It symbolized Bavaria's embrace of railway technology and its role as a modern industrial region.
The viaduct is easily visible and accessible from the Traun riverbank, particularly from the walking paths that run along the water. Best viewing conditions occur during daylight hours when the details of the stone arch structure are clearly visible.
The viaduct was originally built on dry land about 100 meters east of where the river naturally flowed, and then the Traun was deliberately redirected to run beneath the completed structure. This unconventional approach allowed workers to complete the project without significant water interference.
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