- Address: Uewerstad, Lëtzebuerg, Luxembourg
- Overall length: 153 m
- Width: 17 m
- Clearance: 42 m
- Beginning of construction: July 14, 1900
- Opening: July 24, 1903
The visiting card of Luxembourg is the bridge of Adolf, which is paved through the Petriuss River. This famous arched structure has one more name - the New Bridge. Being the national symbol of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, it serves as a connecting link between the Upper and Lower cities.
History and structure of the bridge
The beginning of the construction of the bridge began during the reign of Grand Duke Adolf in 1900 and lasted for three years. The bridge was designed by the French engineer Paul Segurne. The first stone in the foundation of the future bridge was laid by the Grand Duke himself on July 14, 1900. The construction of the Adolf Bridge in Luxembourg was watched with interest by the entire world community, since at that time it was the biggest arched structure in the world. The length of the central arch is 85 m, the height of the bridge at the highest point is 42 m, and the total length is 153 m.
There is a structure of four lanes: the first is intended for public transport and leads to the Upper Town, the remaining three are reserved for private cars that cross the bridge towards the Central Railway Station. On both sides of the road there is a pedestrian pavement 1.80 m wide.
Periodically the bridge of Adolf is closed for repair and reconstruction. For example, in 1930, tramways were laid across the bridge, and in 1961 the first major overhaul was carried out, during which the bridge was widened 1 m 20 cm. In 1976, it was decided to dismantle tram tracks and completely renew the carriageway cover. At the moment, the bridge is again closed for reconstruction, during which the bridge will again be laid tram tracks, and the bridge itself will be expanded by more than 1.5 m.
The main reason for the reconstruction is not the authorities' desire to improve the ecological situation in the city by increasing the number of electric vehicles. The bridge of Adolf began to collapse. The first cracks were noticed by specialists in 1996, but the strengthening works of 2003 and 2010 did not have a lasting effect. In the course of this reconstruction, the end of which is forecasted at the end of 2016, the world's best engineers developed a bridge support system with the help of 1000 iron rods that will strengthen the structure. Builders argue that the appearance of the bridge Adolf during the reconstruction will not change. The entire facing stone was numbered and sent for cleaning, after which it will be returned to its place.
On warm summer evenings, tourists and locals like to gather in cozy cafes and restaurants on the banks of the Petryuss River and admire the decorated lights and illumination of the arches of the Adolf Bridge. But the best view of the landmark opens from the Royal Boulevard.
Interesting Facts
- The prototype of the bridge Adolphe in Luxembourg is the bridge Walnut Lane, which is located in Philadelphia.
- The title of the largest arch building, the bridge Adolf kept until 1905, until this title was transferred to the arch bridge in Germany.
- Despite the fact that the sights are more than 115 years old, locals still call the construction of the "New Bridge", since it was erected on the site of the "old", built in 1861 in the province of Passerelle.
- For the time of reconstruction works a new bridge was built across the Petryuss River, which the locals nicknamed "Blue Bridge". After the completion of the work and the opening of traffic on the bridge of Adolf, the Blue Bridge will be dismantled and returned to the manufacturer.
How to get there?
From Luxembourg-Findel airport by car to the bridge Adolphe can be reached in 20 minutes, following the route to the south along the Rue de Trèves / N1, and then turning onto Rue Saint-Quirin towards Rue de la Semois.
We also recommend visiting the exhibition "Nei Bréck", dedicated to the history of the construction and reconstruction of the bridge.
Contact Information:
- Address: 30, bd Franklin D. Roosevelt
- Opening hours: Tuesday, Thursday-Saturday from 12.00 to 18.00, Wednesday from 08.00 to 14.00.
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