R枚merbr眉cke (Roman Bridge), Trier
The Roman Bridge in Trier is a marvel of ancient engineering that has stood the test of time as the oldest standing bridge in the country and the oldest Roman bridge north of the Alps. Spanning the Moselle River, this bridge dates back to the 2nd century AD, with nine massive pillars constructed between 142 and 150 AD, using durable black basalt from the Eifel mountains. These pillars were designed with pointed fronts to resist the forces of ice and floods, showcasing the ingenuity of Roman engineering. The bridge's original wooden truss allowed it to support heavy traffic with a 14-meter clearance, so ships could pass without lowering their masts.
The bridge dates back to a wooden structure built around 17 BC, intended for wartime sacrifice by fire. Replaced by a stone bridge in 45 AD, it was later rebuilt in stone in its current form. Substantial repairs occurred over centuries, with stone vaults added between 1190 and 1490, likely under Elector Baldwin. Two bridge gates, resembling Trier's Porta Nigra, stood at each end until their 19th-century removal.
In 1689, the bridge suffered significant damage when French troops blew it up, leading to a reconstruction in 1716鈥�1718 under Johann Georg Judas, the court carpenter of Electoral Trier, who added a crucifix and a statue of St. Nicholas on the western end. Remarkably, during WWII, despite severe bombardment and nearby destruction, the bridge remained intact, allowing American forces to cross it on March 2, 1945.
In 1986, UNESCO recognized the Roman Bridge as a World Heritage Site for its architectural and historical importance, aligning it with Trier鈥檚 many Roman and Early Gothic landmarks. Though restoration plans to enhance the bridge鈥檚 surroundings have been suggested, financial constraints have limited their realization. Today, this iconic structure connects Karl Marx Street with Eurener Street, symbolizing Trier's enduring legacy and the resilience of Roman craftsmanship.
The bridge dates back to a wooden structure built around 17 BC, intended for wartime sacrifice by fire. Replaced by a stone bridge in 45 AD, it was later rebuilt in stone in its current form. Substantial repairs occurred over centuries, with stone vaults added between 1190 and 1490, likely under Elector Baldwin. Two bridge gates, resembling Trier's Porta Nigra, stood at each end until their 19th-century removal.
In 1689, the bridge suffered significant damage when French troops blew it up, leading to a reconstruction in 1716鈥�1718 under Johann Georg Judas, the court carpenter of Electoral Trier, who added a crucifix and a statue of St. Nicholas on the western end. Remarkably, during WWII, despite severe bombardment and nearby destruction, the bridge remained intact, allowing American forces to cross it on March 2, 1945.
In 1986, UNESCO recognized the Roman Bridge as a World Heritage Site for its architectural and historical importance, aligning it with Trier鈥檚 many Roman and Early Gothic landmarks. Though restoration plans to enhance the bridge鈥檚 surroundings have been suggested, financial constraints have limited their realization. Today, this iconic structure connects Karl Marx Street with Eurener Street, symbolizing Trier's enduring legacy and the resilience of Roman craftsmanship.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Trier. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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R枚merbr眉cke (Roman Bridge) on Map
Sight Name: R枚merbr眉cke (Roman Bridge)
Sight Location: Trier, Germany (See walking tours in Trier)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Trier, Germany (See walking tours in Trier)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Trier, Germany
Create Your Own Walk in Trier
Creating your own self-guided walk in Trier is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
In The Footsteps of Karl Marx
Apart from being a home to the largest number of Roman ruins outside Rome, Trier is also extremely popular with international tourists, especially those from China, as the hometown of Karl Marx.
Here, the father of socialism and one of the most important philosophers of the 19th century, who, as an adult, managed to change the course of the world's history, had spent the first 17 years of... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.8 Km or 1.1 Miles
Here, the father of socialism and one of the most important philosophers of the 19th century, who, as an adult, managed to change the course of the world's history, had spent the first 17 years of... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.8 Km or 1.1 Miles
Trier's Roman Ruins Walking Tour
Nowadays it sounds a bit weird that a small German town of Trier, some 20-minute drive from the Luxembourg border, was once the capital of the mighty Western Roman Empire. Still, "the second Rome", as the emperor Diocletian used to call it, today fully lives up to its former status.
Founded in 15 BC by the Roman emperor Octavian Augustus, this oldest city in Germany is a home to the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.9 Km or 3 Miles
Founded in 15 BC by the Roman emperor Octavian Augustus, this oldest city in Germany is a home to the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.9 Km or 3 Miles
Trier Introduction Walking Tour
Trier is Germany鈥檚 oldest city and features beautiful Roman ruins, impressive medieval architecture, stunning churches, and fascinating museums.
While an inscription on the famous Red House states that the city was founded 1300 years before the Romans arrived, this has never been proven. The Celtics originally founded Trier during the fourth century BC. The Romans arrived in the first century... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles
While an inscription on the famous Red House states that the city was founded 1300 years before the Romans arrived, this has never been proven. The Celtics originally founded Trier during the fourth century BC. The Romans arrived in the first century... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles