Old Stone Bridge

Regensburg, Germany

Steinerne Brücke in Regensburg is a 12th-century bridge across the Danube linking the Old Town with Stadtamhof. For more than 800 years, until the 1930s, it was the city's only bridge across the river. It is a masterwork of medieval construction and an emblem of the city.

Charlemagne had a wooden bridge built at Regensburg, approximately 100 metres east of the present bridge, but it was inadequate for the traffic and vulnerable to floods, so it was decided to replace it with a stone bridge. The Stone Bridge was built in only eleven years, probably in 1135–46. Louis VII of France and his army used it to cross the Danube on their way to the Second Crusade. It served as a model for other stone bridges built in Europe in the 12th and 13th centuries. For centuries it was the only bridge over the river between Ulm and Vienna, making Regensburg into a major centre of trade and government.

The Stone Bridge is an arch bridge with 16 arches. At the south end, the first arch and first pier were incorporated into the Regensburg Salt Store when it was built in 1616–20, but remain in place under the approach road to the bridge. An archaeological investigation was performed in 2009, and revealed fire damage during the Middle Ages.

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Details

Founded: 1135-1146
Category: Miscellaneous historic sites in Germany
Historical period: Hohenstaufen Dynasty (Germany)

Rating

4.7/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

christopher wilson (2 months ago)
My wife and I enjoyed our sunset walk on the Old Stone Bridge. It's quite romantic and peaceful in the evening. Would recommend for those planning to go take a stroll somewhere on a date night.
PME Opvoedkundige Kindervideo's (Magda Ehlers) (3 months ago)
The perfect place to admire Passau from over this medievel bridge. Beautiful view over the Danube river.
Aena Pareek (4 months ago)
This is a remarkable medieval structure that dates back to 12th century and it is over Danube river. It is one of the oldest bridge of Europe that survived this long and it definitely gives that vibe in the UNESCO town of Regensburg. It gives amazing view on both sides with old and captivating architecture, restaurants, clock tower and garden. The old city charm enchants you and takes you in different era somehow. Lovely place.
Daniel (5 months ago)
The Steinerne Brücke (Stone Bridge) in Regensburg is a remarkable medieval structure that dates back to the 12th century. Spanning the Danube River, it is considered one of the oldest surviving stone bridges in Europe and was a vital link in trade routes during the Middle Ages. With its iconic Romanesque design, the bridge offers breathtaking views of Regensburg's old town, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Walking across the Steinerne Brücke provides a unique experience of history, blending the city's medieval past with its vibrant present. It remains a key landmark and symbol of Regensburg's architectural legacy.
Shella (8 months ago)
Watching the sunset while eating gelato here is perfect. We went during the weekend with a rather nice sunny day so it’s a bit crowded. It’s nice to have a short walk here and there’s a lot of restaurants and souvenir shops around the area.
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