Cologne's Bridge: A Sight To Behold

The Hohenzollern Bridge is a bridge in Cologne that crosses the Rhine. It is one of the most important railway bridges in Germany, with over 1,200 trains crossing it every day. The bridge is also known for the thousands of love locks attached to it by couples as a symbol of their commitment. The bridge offers a panoramic view of Cologne's city centre, including the Cologne Cathedral, and is considered one of the city's best photo motifs.

The bridge's history

The Hohenzollern Bridge (German: Hohenzollernbrücke) is a bridge that crosses the river Rhine in Cologne, Germany. It is the most heavily used railway bridge in Germany, with over 1,200 trains crossing it daily. The bridge was constructed between 1907 and 1911, after the demolition of the old Cathedral Bridge, which could not handle the increasing rail traffic. The new bridge was named after the House of Hohenzollern, the rulers of Prussia and German Emperors. The Hohenzollern Bridge was built with three adjacent bridge parts, each with three iron truss arches in the longitudinal direction to accommodate four railway tracks and a road. The bridge has a total weight of 24,000 tonnes.

During World War II, the Hohenzollern Bridge functioned as one of the most important bridges in Germany. On 6 March 1945, German military engineers blew up the bridge as Allied troops began their assault on Cologne. After Germany surrendered, reconstruction of the bridge began, and by 8 May 1948, pedestrians could use the bridge again. The southern road traffic decks were removed, and the bridge now consisted of six individual bridge decks. The surviving portals and bridge towers were not repaired and were demolished in 1958. In 1959, reconstruction of the bridge was completed, and it was renovated with two new tracks in the 1980s.

Today, the Hohenzollern Bridge is a six-track railway bridge with a path for pedestrians and cyclists. It is known for the thousands of "love locks" attached to its fences and railings by couples as a sign of love and commitment. The custom of hanging love locks on the bridge began in 2008, and it is estimated that there are now over 500,000 locks, weighing around 45 tonnes. The bridge offers a fantastic panorama of the city centre and the Rhine, making it one of Cologne's best-known photo motifs.

The view from the bridge

The Hohenzollern Bridge is one of the most important bridges in Cologne, Germany. It crosses the Rhine, connecting the Köln Hauptbahnhof and Köln Messe/Deutz stations. The view from the bridge is truly spectacular, offering a panoramic view of the city centre, including the Cologne Cathedral, and the Rhine.

The bridge is not only a vital transportation link but also a popular tourist attraction. It is well-known for the thousands of "love locks" that adorn its fences and railings, symbolising the love and commitment of couples who visit. The weight of these locks is estimated to have added over 2 tons to the bridge, with some sources claiming up to 45 tons.

The Hohenzollern Bridge is a mighty steel structure, stretching over 400 metres across the Rhine. It consists of three adjacent bridge parts, each with three iron truss arches, accommodating railway tracks and a footpath. The bridge vibrates impressively under the weight of around 1,500 train crossings per day, making it Germany's busiest railway bridge.

A stroll across the Hohenzollern Bridge offers a unique experience. On one side, you will find the Museum Ludwig and the Philharmonic Hall, while the other side, known as the Deutz side, provides a panoramic view of Cologne's city centre and its old town. The path across the bridge is not just for train travellers and couples but also for those seeking a breathtaking view and an interesting walk.

The bridge has a rich history, dating back to its construction between 1907 and 1911. It was inaugurated by Emperor Wilhelm II and is named after the House of Hohenzollern, the rulers of Prussia and German Emperors at the time. The original equestrian statues of Prussian kings and emperors from the House of Hohenzollern still flank each ramp, preserving the historical significance of the bridge.

The Hohenzollern Bridge is an iconic landmark in Cologne, with its three wave-like arches shaping the cityscape. It has endured through the years, surviving World War II and remaining a vital link between the two sides of the city. Today, it stands as a testament to the resilience and beauty of Cologne, offering a unique perspective on this charming city.

Love locks

The Hohenzollern Bridge (Hohenzollernbrücke) in Cologne is famous for its thousands of "love padlocks", affixed by couples as a symbol of their love and commitment. The tradition of love locks began in 2008, and since then, the number of locks has grown exponentially. By 2011, there were 40,000 padlocks, and today, there are likely to be eight times as many. Each railing section has between 800 and 1,200 love locks attached to it, and the total weight of the locks is estimated to be around 40 tonnes.

Couples bring their own padlocks to the bridge, often with their names or initials engraved, and secure them to the railings. They then throw the key into the River Rhine below, symbolising the everlasting nature of their love. The keys join the tens of thousands already resting on the riverbed.

The love locks have become a popular tourist attraction, with people travelling from all over the world to attach their own locks to the bridge. The bridge's combination of love locks, impressive views of the Rhine, and proximity to the Cologne Cathedral make it one of the city's most popular photo motifs.

The Hohenzollern Bridge is not just a destination for couples, however. It is also the most heavily-used railway bridge in Germany, with over 1,200 trains passing through daily, connecting the Köln Hauptbahnhof and Köln Messe/Deutz stations. The bridge is over 400 metres long and features a footpath for pedestrians and cyclists.

The bridge's architecture

The architecture of Cologne's bridges is as varied as the city's long history. The bridges across the Rhine set the pace of city life in Cologne, with travellers, guests, commuters and locals all depending on them. The river also serves as an important shipping route, a romantic backdrop and as the boundary between the self-assured left bank and the underestimated right bank.

The Hohenzollern Bridge, or Hohenzollernbrücke, is a railway and pedestrian bridge that crosses the Rhine at kilometre 688.5. It was constructed between 1907 and 1911, and is named after the House of Hohenzollern, the rulers of Prussia and German Emperors when Cologne formed part of the Prussian Rhine Province. The bridge consists of three adjacent bridge parts, each with three iron truss arches in the longitudinal direction to accommodate four railway tracks and a road. The Hohenzollern Bridge is the most heavily used railway bridge in Germany, with more than 1,200 trains crossing daily, connecting the Köln Hauptbahnhof and Köln Messe/Deutz stations.

The Deutzer Brücke is another bridge in Cologne with a long history. Originally a wooden structure built by the Romans around 310 AD, it took the form of a reaction ferry link between the centre of the city and the district of Deutz from 1647. From 1822 to 1915, it was a pontoon bridge, opening three times per day for boats to pass. Then a suspension bridge spanned the Rhine in the same place from 1913 until it collapsed in February 1945. The current bridge, the world's first steel box-girder bridge, was completed in 1948 and later expanded between 1976 and 1980.

The Mülheimer Brücke is painted in a gorgeous patina green ("Cologne bridge green") that was mixed to the precise specifications of the first chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, Konrad Adenauer. The shade of green is also known as "Adenauer green".

The Zoobrücke, opened in 1966, is a six-lane bridge with plenty to see on either side: the zoo, the sculpture park, thermal baths and a skate park. With more traffic than any other Cologne bridge, it is not a place to linger, but it does have a span longer than any other single-pier box-girder bridge in the world.

The Severinsbrücke, constructed to a design by architects Gerd Lohmer and Fritz Leonhardt in 1959, is considered the most handsome of the city's seven bridges. It was the first new bridge to be built in Cologne after the Second World War.

The Rodenkirchener Brücke is a controversial crossing that has been pencilled in for demolition. The 567-metre-long bridge currently has four lanes, and the plan is to expand it to eight.

The bridge's illumination

The Hohenzollern Bridge in Cologne is a sight to behold, especially at night when it is illuminated. Stretching over 400 metres across the Rhine, the bridge is characterised by its three wave-like arches and thousands of love locks. The bridge is not only a popular photo motif but also the busiest railway bridge in Germany, with approximately 1,200-1,500 trains passing through daily.

The Hohenzollern Bridge has a rich history dating back to its construction between 1907 and 1911. Initially built as a railway and road bridge, it was reconstructed after World War II to accommodate only rail and pedestrian traffic. The bridge features equestrian statues of Prussian kings and emperors from the House of Hohenzollern, including Emperor Wilhelm II, a patron of architecture. The original portal structures and towers, however, were demolished in 1958.

A stroll across the Hohenzollern Bridge offers panoramic views of Cologne's city centre and Old Town. On a sunny day, the glittering locks create a dazzling display, and the dense accumulation of locks forms a metal body full of vows of love. The bridge is easily accessible from Cologne Central Station, and the walk across takes about 3 minutes.

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