Karl Theodor Bridge Size report
The Karl Theodor Bridge (German: Karl-Theodor-Brücke), commonly known as the Old Bridge (Alte Brücke), is a stone arch bridge in Heidelberg that crosses the Neckar river. It was also the first stone bridge across the Neckar River in Heidelberg. Founded in 1786 AD, it has a long history of more than 200 years.
The banks of the Neckar River have been abandoned since 1693 due to the war. Since then, they have been partially rebuilt, so there has been a slight change in the city. At the same time, the Old Town of Heidelberg retains some of the best Renaissance architecture in Germany.
The Old Bridge is one of Heidelberg's most famous landmarks and tourist destinations. The bridge is already dedicated to pedestrians, and the road deck is slightly worn. This post will introduce more details about the size and features of this bidge.
Size and Features of the Karl Theodor Bridge
The Heidelberg Old Bridge is a historical bridge with nine arches, and it spans the Neckar River. It was built by order of Elector Karl Theodor between 1786 and 1788, which is already the ninth bridge built on this site. It connects the Old City and the east of the Neuenheim district on the opposite bank. The Neckar River is one of the three tributaries of the Rhine. In 1945, German troops blew up the bridge's three arches and two pillars, and these features were restored after World War II.
On the left bank of the river, a solid gate was built leading to the bridge, with two round towers at the south end of the bridge guarding the entrance to the Old City. The towers were originally prisons. The north end of the ancient bridge is the famous red-brown ancient castle. The current bridge is made of Neckar sandstone. There are two statues on the bridge: Kurfursten Karl-Theodor and the Pallas Athene in Greek mythology. The bronze monkey at the south end of the bridge symbolizes shamelessness, desire, and vanity.
Dimensions of the Karl Theodor Bridge
The Karl Theodor Bridge is 200 meters long and connects the old town with the right bank and the Schlangenweg. The winding serpentine road extends towards the hills to Philosophenweg. The bridge is 7 meters wide, about 4.4 - 10.5 meters, and used only as a bicycle and pedestrian bridge today.
Quick Facts | Dimensions |
---|---|
Length | 200 m (656 ft) |
Width | 7 m (23 ft) |
Height | 4.4 - 10.5 m (14.4 - 34.4 ft) |
Number of Span | 9 |
Final Words
The Karl Theodor Bridge is not known for a stunning size but for its long history. In the 19th century, German Romanticism originated and developed in Heidelberg, making Heidelberg a symbol and spiritual place of German Romanticism. The Heidelberg Old Bridge is a natural highlight of the city's beauty, so it has become a symbol of Heidelberg. In the biographies of many poets and artists, there have been descriptions of the Old Bridge. For example, the famous poet Goethe loved this ancient bridge very much. Standing on the Old Bridge of Heidelberg, you can overlook the high Oden Mountain and the Neckar River flowing calmly under the bridge.