It is considered a masterpiece of steel construction and the answer to the Eiffel Tower in Paris: the Müngsten Bridge. It shortens the route between Remscheid and Solingen enormously. Now we celebrate.
Solingen – The anniversary celebration for Germany’s highest railway bridge has begun. The “Müngsten Bridge” between Remscheid and Solingen in North Rhine-Westphalia was put into operation 125 years ago. It is 107 meters high and 465 meters long.
The bridge is considered a masterpiece of steel construction at the end of the 19th century, a monument of national importance and Germany’s answer to the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
A new attempt is currently being made to put the structure on the Unesco World Heritage List – this time together with five other large arch bridges in Portugal, Italy and France.
Thousands of people are expected at the weekend for the big bridge anniversary. For the “birthday” there will be a concert by the Bergische Symphoniker on Saturday evening and a family day on Sunday.
A historic steam train will cross the bridge several times on both days. It was completed in 1897 as the “Kaiser Wilhelm Bridge” to mark the 100th birthday of Kaiser Wilhelm I and was later renamed.
After its completion, the bridge shortened the railway line between the industrial cities of Remscheid and Solingen enormously – from 44 to 8 kilometers. The steel structure is held together with 934,456 rivets. dpa
