Östra bron, Stone arch bridge in Karlstad, Sweden

Östra bron is a stone arch bridge spanning the east channel of Klarälven River and joining the districts of Haga and Norrstrand. The structure features twelve consecutive natural stone arches that stretch across approximately 168 meters.

Construction began in 1761 and was completed in 1811 under master builder Anders Jacobsson. Stone was quarried locally from Lamberget and carefully worked for this major construction project.

Locals call it Stenbron or Store Bro, and the name Östra bron marks its position at the eastern branch of the Klarälven. At the southern end stood the town's eastern customs post, with tanneries lining that bank; from the northern end roads ran toward Filipstad, Kristinehamn and Stockholm. The bridge now carries only public transport, pedestrians and cyclists.

The bridge carries only public transport, pedestrians and cyclists, so it is crossed on foot or by bike. At its southern end stood the town's eastern customs post, with the road continuing up over Lagberget between the old grammar school and the cathedral. Tanners' workshops lined the southern bank.

The bridge's construction reduced the water flow in the eastern branch of the Klarälven so much that an island, Gubbholmen, formed downstream. A persistent legend claims master builder Anders Jacobsson drowned himself over doubts about the bridge's strength, but he actually lived until 1804 and died at home.