The most outstanding water bridges in the world. River over river: the amazing Magdeburg Water Bridge! Water bridge
Magdeburg Water Bridge (Kanalbrücke Magdeburg) is the longest navigable bridge in Europe. This unique engineering structure for the movement of cargo ships is also called a water crossing. His large-scale project was planned for almost 80 years, and only in 2003 the grand opening of the river route, important for all of Germany, took place.
In Europe, aqueducts (water bridges) provided cities with water for many centuries. With the advent of the canal system in the 17th century, they also began to be used for shipping. Nowadays aqueducts are built over rivers, railways and even highways. Ferries, ships, and boats travel along them, thereby significantly shortening their journey.
Before the construction of the Magdeburg Waterway, the longest aqueduct in the world was considered to be the canal on the Loire River in France (Pont Canal de Briare, 1896, length 662 meters).
The idea to build a bridge that today connects the two largest waterways - the Elbe-Havel-Kanal and the Mittellandkanal - arose closer to 1919. But only 19 years later the temporary Rothensee ship lift and the supporting part of the structure were ready.
The Second World War, and then the subsequent division of Germany into the GDR and the Federal Republic of Germany, caused the construction of this important structure to be postponed indefinitely. Only after the fall of the Berlin Wall and the establishment of the main water transport routes in Germany, the construction of a water crossing became a priority and was resumed in 1997.
The implementation of such a unique engineering idea cost the government 500 million euros. Today, the Magdeburg Water Bridge over the Elbe River regularly carries ships from the inland port of Berlin to ports along the Rhine River.
Main parameters of the water bridge in Magdeburg
The length of the structure is 918 meters, of which 690 meters are laid over land, and the remaining 228 meters are over water.
24,000 tons of steel and 68,000 cubic meters of concrete were spent on construction.
Due to the fact that the depth of the canal is 4.25 meters, river ships and barges with a length of 85 meters and a draft of up to 2 meters can freely pass here.
The width of the channel along which ships sail is almost 34 meters. This makes it possible to load barges up to 1,350 metric tons.
The length of the spans reaches 106 meters.
Gateways
Next to the hydraulic structure in Magdeburg there is a ship lift (a mechanism by which ships are raised and lowered from one level of the waterway to another) and a lock (a structure by which ships move from one water basin to another with different water levels).
In the Elbe, the water level is lower than in the Elbe-Havel and Central German canals, so the double Hohenwarte lock was built in 2003 on the eastern side of the bridge to lower ships into the Elbe-Havel Canal.
To lower ships into the Central German Canal, the Rothensee ship lift in the western part of the bridge is used. There is also a gateway on this side, which began to be used in 2001.
Today, this is one of the most unusual aqueducts in the world and is of great practical importance for shipping throughout Germany. According to a 2010 analysis, the capacity of the waterway between the two canals has doubled. This clearly increases the growth of all cargo flows within the country and, accordingly, has a positive effect on the economy.
What is also important: with the help of the Magdeburg water crossing, communication is provided with the industrial region of Germany called the Ruhr Valley, which was in great need of creating such an economically advantageous and convenient crossing.
Before the construction of the Madeburg Navigation Bridge, river vessels traveling from the Central German Canal to the Elbe-Havel Canal were forced to travel 12 kilometers along the Elbe River through the Rothensee ship lift and the Nigripp locks.
In addition, shipping and loading of barges often stopped when the water level dropped, as ships carrying more than 800 metric tons of cargo could not travel that distance. In this case, the cargo from overloaded ships was partially transferred to an additional barge in the port of Magdeburg, and then transported to the Elbe-Havel Canal to its own ship.
The decision to connect the two canals with an aqueduct resolved the problem of additional cargo transshipment, and ships stopped their long and sometimes dangerous passage along the Elbe. In addition, the waterway has become another interesting attraction in Germany.
Useful information for tourists
The unique structure, which looks like a river above the river, will also be interesting for tourists. After all, only here you can take a ride on the world’s only boat lift for small pleasure craft. And by visiting a small museum near the attraction, you can learn all the historical facts about the construction of this unusual structure.
Address: Schiffshebewerk 8A, 39126 Magdeburg, Germany.
How to get to the water bridge
The aqueduct is located just north (13 kilometers) of Magdeburg and originates in the quiet and cozy village of Hohenwart on the right bank of the Elbe. Magdeburg city center can be reached in about an hour by car or rented bicycle.
The cheapest, but rather difficult way is to take a walk, which will take at least an hour and a half.
You can also take tram number 10 from the Allee-Center stop, which is located near the train station in Magdeburg, to the Barleber See stop. Then you will have to walk about 6 km. The long journey is compensated by the views of the locks and the opportunity to visit the free observation deck.
There is ample free parking for cars near the attraction, since traffic on the bridge is limited to pedestrians and water vehicles only. Behind the parking lot there is a cafe that offers very tasty desserts for tourists.
How and when is the best time to visit the water bridge in Magdeburg
You can visit the famous water crossing at any time of the day. Even at night you can come and take a photo against the backdrop of the water surface, which is extremely beautiful in the moonlight. But it’s more convenient to watch large cargo and luxury passenger ships sail by during the daytime.
There are special paths along the bridge for cycling and walking, which is very convenient for tourists.
For lovers of river walks, special excursion routes are organized - you can visit the crossing and boat lifts. This walk begins right in the center of Magdeburg and ends there a few hours later. Water excursions along the canal take place daily, so you can appreciate the beauty of the structure not only from land, but also from the water.
Conclusion
If you want to see a water canal literally floating in the air above the Elbe, then be sure to go to Germany. You can see the most interesting thing - how ships are ferried between two canals along the longest aqueduct in Europe - by climbing the bridge, during an independent walk or bike ride, or with a group during a boat excursion.
Magdeburg Water Bridge - Wasserstraßenkreuz Magdeburg: Video
There are quite a decent number of attractions in the world that deserve special attention. One of these is the recently popular Magdeburg Water Bridge. Essentially, this bridge is a river located above the river, then a network of water canals located on top of the Elbe River.
This truly technically stunning structure is actually located in Magdeburg. This water bridge is the link between the Central German Canal and the rather famous Elbe-Havel Canal. In fact, this piece of engineering is unparalleled anywhere in the world. The phrase “river over river” best expresses the essence of this water bridge.
The Magdeburg Water Bridge is a real water canal, literally hanging in the air above the river, and ships and barges move freely along it. Only boats and pedestrians can move across this unique bridge; ground transport is not allowed here.
It must be said that the very idea of building this bridge arose back in 1930 of the last century, and even in 1938 the first stage of preparatory work was carried out. However, the Second World War that followed and the subsequent division of Germany did not allow this idea to come true.
After the end of the war, Magdeburg remained part of the GDR, and the country's authorities did not have enough funds to implement such a grandiose plan. Therefore, the continuation of construction began after the reunification of the country and lasted six years - from 1997 to 2003. 
In fact, the length of the Magdeburg Bridge, laid over the Elbe River, is 918 meters, with 228 meters hanging in the air, and 690 meters laid on land. This project required quite significant material costs - more than 500 million euros. But over time it became clear that these costs were worth it. They are already essentially justified by a significant reduction in the route of ships in the section from Berlin to Hannover, as well as from other heavily loaded ports on the Rhine River by at least 12 kilometers.
Before this bridge was built, ships had to make a very long detour across the Elbe River. But this was not the main reason, the fact is that in the summer the water level in the river decreased significantly and at times all movement on the water almost completely stopped. After the construction of the bridge, all these problems resolved themselves. 
Now, after the construction of this bridge, a very large number of tourists began to come to Magdeburg to admire this grandiose German landmark. Therefore, bicycle and pedestrian sidewalks were equipped especially for tourists. Here, next to the bridge, you can visit a small museum that tells about all the stages of construction of the water bridge. The bridge is open to visitors 24 hours a day.
Here you can also take a fascinating trip on board the (only one in the world) boat lift designed for small pleasure boats. Such boat excursions are held daily. So you can admire the beauty of such a stunning structure not only from land, but also from water. If you walk from the city center, you can reach the water bridge in about an hour and a half. But the most convenient way is to rent a bicycle right in the city center, it will be easier to cover the road, and the excursion itself will be much more exciting. For those tourists who prefer boat trips to all entertainment, special routes are organized that go through the crossing and boat lifts. They start right in the center of Magdeburg, and then return there.
There are many unusual, but much needed structures in the world, and one of them is located in Germany. Unique Magdeburg Water Bridge located north of the city of Magdeburg and crosses the Elbe River. With the help of this structure, water communication is carried out with the industrial region of Germany - the Ruhr.
The system of unusual water structures includes the Rothensee ship lift with a lock, put into operation in 2001, which allows river vessels to descend into the Central German Canal in the western part Magdeburg Water Bridge, and the double Hohenwarte lock for communication with the Elbe-Havel Canal, built in 2003 - in the east of the structure.
diagram of the Magdeburg waterworks
Before opening Magdeburg Water Bridge in October 2003, those traveling from the Central German Canal to the Elbe-Havel were forced to plan their twelve-kilometer route along the Elbe River, passing the Rothensee ship lift and the Nigripp locks.
Such water communication gave captains a number of troubles associated with different water levels between the Central German Canal, where they can sail with a draft of up to 2 meters, and the Elbe River - with a draft of up to 1.5 meters. Of course, a solution was found - part of the cargo from overloaded river ships in the port of Magdeburg was transferred to an additional barge, and then re-shipped to its ship in the Elbe-Havel Canal. But this problem was completely eliminated with the advent of the Magdeburg Water Bridge. The unique water bridge made it possible to solve the problem of river navigation without additional cargo transshipment and without destroying the ecosystem of the Elbe River.
The need to create a waterway was first discussed back in the 20th century. In 1905, construction began on the Central German Canal, which was completed in 1938 with the Rothensee ship lift. Then they began to build a water bridge and locks at Hohenwart. But the several piers and spans built over the canal remained a “frozen construction” with the onset of World War II. After the war, the water bridge project was also not continued due to the political division of Germany into eastern and western parts. And only 60 years later, in 1997, the supports of the water bridge, rising on both sides of the river, were connected, which marked the imminent completion of the construction of this project.
Magdeburg Water Bridge photo
In 2003 Magdeburg water bridge The first ships departed from the inland port of Berlin to ports on the Rhine. I would like to note that this water structure allows river vessels with a length of 85 meters and a draft of up to 2 meters to pass freely.
The construction of the Magdeburg Water Bridge with a total length of 918 meters, a channel width of 34 m, and a depth of 4.25 m required 68,000 cubic meters. m of concrete and 24,000 tons of steel. About 500 million euros were allocated from the country's budget for the creation of a unique structure. And all this is not in vain. Following an analysis in 2010, the capacity of the waterway between the Central German Canal and the Elbe-Havel has doubled, which contributes to a regular increase in freight traffic within the country. Besides Magdeburg Water Bridge became another landmark of Germany. Every year hundreds of tourists visit this country, and lovers
So-called water bridges are bridge structures that support water channels along which relatively small ships can navigate. They are built over rivers, river valleys, railways or highways. Although aqueducts were used to supply cities with water for many centuries, they were never used for transportation until the 17th century, when canal systems as we see them today began to emerge.
We present to you three of the most outstanding water bridges in the world. Looking at some of the photos, you might think they were taken in Photoshop. However, this is not true, these bridges exist and function in real life.
Magdeburg Water Bridge
The most popular and impressive water bridge is located in Magdeburg, Germany. This is the longest navigable aqueduct in the world, its length is 918 meters.
Opened in October 2003 as part of the Magdeburg waterway system, it connects the Elbe-Havel Canal with the Mittelland Canal, crossing the Elbe River at the top.
The Elbe-Havel and Mittelland canals have previously met near the city of Magdeburg, but on different banks of the Elbe, the water level of which is lower than in both canals. Therefore, ships crossing from one canal to another had to make a 12-kilometer loop and use locks and ship lifts. And as the water level in the river dropped, this option became impossible for loaded barges.
The reunification of Germany and the establishment of major water transport routes made the construction of a water bridge a priority. Work began in 1997. As a result, construction took 6 years and about 500 million euros.
Now the water bridge connects the Berlin river port with numerous ports on the Rhine River.
Pontcysyllte Aqueduct
The Pontcysyllte Aqueduct in Wrexham, UK, was built between 1795 and 1805 to carry the Ellesmere Canal across the Dee valley and connect the Denbighshire coal mines to the national canal system during the Industrial Revolution.
The aqueduct became one of the most significant world achievements of that time. For over 200 years it has remained the longest and highest aqueduct in Britain. In 2009, the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The length of the aqueduct is 307 meters, width - 3.4 meters, depth - 1.6 meters. It is part of an 18-kilometer aqueduct system.
The aqueduct consists of a cast iron trough supported 38 meters above the river by iron arches supported by 19 hollow stone columns.
The use of cast iron and steel in the construction of the aqueduct made it possible to create light and strong arches that simultaneously create the effect of monumentality and elegance.
The canal had a significant impact on the economic well-being of the region during the first half of the 19th century, facilitating the rapid development of coal mining, metalworking, lime quarrying and lime production. The slate quarries in the Welsh mountains and agriculture also benefited from the canal.
Today the canal no longer carries coal and lime, but is a very popular tourist destination.
Since 1954, the canal has been managed and maintained in a navigable condition by the British Waterways Authority.
Barton Swing Aqueduct
The turning mechanism allows large ships to navigate the Manchester Ship Canal and small narrow boats to cross along the top. When a large ship needs to pass through the canal, the 100-meter-long, 1,450-ton iron bridge rotates 90 degrees.
The sluice gates at both ends of the bridge's trough hold about 800 tons of water. Other locks, on the banks of the canal, hold water in areas adjacent to the bridge. The same swing bridge, but intended for road traffic, is located here, a little higher upstream.
Previously, on the site of this water bridge there was an ordinary stationary stone aqueduct, which did not allow new large ships to pass. Therefore, the construction of a swing bridge became a necessity.
The swing aqueduct (left), in a closed position, crosses the Bridgewater and Manchester Ship canals. The road swing bridge is on the right.
There are many attractions in the world that deserve special attention. One of these amazing wonders of the world is the Magdeburg Water Bridge. It is literally a river above a river, as it is a water channel rising above the Elbe.
This amazing modern bridge building is located in the German city of Magdeburg. The water bridge connects the Central German Canal with the famous Elbe-Havel Canal. This miracle of engineering has no analogues in the whole world. “River over river” is the best description of the most famous canal bridge in Europe.
The Magdeburg Bridge is literally suspended in the air above the river, with barges and ships moving across it. This unique aqueduct bridge is used only for crossing ships and pedestrians; land transport does not cross it. To see this, just look at the Magdeburg Water Bridge. Photos of this structure amaze with their beauty and majesty.
History of the bridge
The idea of building a bridge began to come to fruition around 1930. The first stage of work was completed and commissioned in 1938. But then the division of Germany did not allow further construction to continue.
After the war, Magdeburg ended up on the territory of the GDR, but its government did not want to complete the construction of this expensive and complex structure. Continuation of construction became possible only after this grandiose bridge was built for six whole years, from June 1997 to October 2003.
Practical purpose of the bridge
This huge bridge over the legendary one is 918 meters long, of which 690 m are on land and 228 m are suspended over water. The depth of the structure is 4.25 m, width is 34 m, and the maximum span is 106 meters. 24,000 tons of steel and 68,000 cubic meters of concrete were spent on its construction.
A colossal amount of money was spent on the implementation of this amazing engineering idea - over 500 million euros. But, as time has shown, the bridge is worth it!
The costs of constructing the crossing are justified by reducing the route of ships from Berlin to Hannover and other heavily loaded Rhine ports by 12 km. Before the construction of the bridge, ships made a long detour across the Elbe, and in the summer, when the water level in the river dropped significantly, all water traffic practically stopped. Now these problems have been resolved. Every year, more than 1,300 tons of various goods are transported across the bridge.
What is attractive about the Magdeburg Bridge?
The river above the river - the famous Magdeburg Bridge - is considered one of the main bridges. It is simply impossible to describe in words its grandeur and grandeur. It is especially amazing to watch ships and barges sail over another river along a canal bridge hanging in the air. After all, in nature you will not find such a phenomenon that one is directly above the other. Every year tens of thousands of tourists come to Magdeburg to admire this wonderful waterway.
Everyone can look at this beauty up close. There are pedestrian and bicycle sidewalks on the bridge especially for tourists. Here you can also visit a small museum, which highlights all the details of the rather long construction of this unique water crossing. Parking for vehicles is provided. The bridge is open 24 hours a day. During the day it is interesting to watch the huge cargo barges and colorful passenger ships. And at night - behind the water surface charmingly shimmering from the moonlight.
Water lovers can take a river cruise aboard the world's only boat lift for small pleasure craft. Boat excursions are held daily, so you can appreciate the beauty of such a structure as a river above the river both from land and from water.
How to get to the bridge?
From the central part of Magdeburg you can walk to the water bridge in about an hour and a half. But in the city center you can rent a bicycle, this will make the journey much easier, and the excursion will be more convenient and interesting. For tourists who prefer boat trips, special routes are organized through the ferry and boat lifts; they depart from the center of Magdeburg and then return.
Magdeburg - attractions
It's not just the famous water bridge that attracts tourists to this German city. Magdeburg also has other attractions. Germany is famous for its rich history and unique architecture. During your stay in this ancient city, you will be able to visit the amazingly beautiful cathedrals of St. Catherine and St. Mauritius, which in ancient times were considered the center of the “Third Rome”.
On the Alter Markt square, right in front of the town hall, there is a copy of the legendary German architectural monument “The Magdeburg Horseman”.
The most popular tourist route is called the “Road of Romance”. Its pearl is the Monastery of the Holy Virgin Mary. Here you will also be shown other charmingly beautiful monasteries, cathedrals and parks.
How to get to Magdeburg?
The easiest and most economical way to get to Magdeburg is to book return plane tickets. It is better to stay in the city center, in one of its many hotels.
Just keep in mind that you will need a Schengen visa, so plan your trip in advance. But what you get to see will certainly make all the trouble worth it. The beauty of the unique architecture of Magdeburg delights and is remembered for a long time.
