Brücke von Andau, Border footbridge between Andau, Austria and Kapuvár, Hungary
The Bridge of Andau is a wooden structure about 7 meters long that crosses the Einserkanal canal, connecting two villages at the Austrian-Hungarian border. A bird observation tower now stands at the site, and multiple artworks line the surrounding pathways.
After the Hungarian uprising in 1956, the original bridge and surrounding area served as an escape route for around 70,000 people until Soviet forces destroyed it in November that year. The current bridge was rebuilt in 1996 as a memorial to those events.
The artworks along the Road of Freedom display honor those who fled after 1956, and the site becomes a place where visitors can connect with the stories of that time. The location blends memory with nature, inviting reflection on borders and hope.
The easiest access comes from marked pathways connecting the two villages, Andau and Kapuvár, leading to the bridge and the observation area. The terrain is flat and straightforward to walk, especially when planning to visit the nearby bird tower.
The 1957 book 'The Bridge at Andau' by James Michener told the personal stories of people who escaped across this bridge, shaping how the western world understood the escape. The work remains today an important account of these historical moments.
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