Katzenbuckelbrücke

Have you ever seen a bridge pounce? The Katzenbuckelbrücke doesn’t exactly pounce, but its unique humpbacked shape certainly gives it a playful, almost feline quality. The Katzenbuckelbrücke, also known as the Mülheimer Hafenbrücke or even the Dragon Bridge, arches over the entrance to the Mülheim Harbor. It connects the Mülheim riverbank near the Hafenstraße with the northeastern tip of the Jugendpark, located on the Mülheim peninsula known as “Katzenkopf” – cat’s head. Just south of this peninsula lies the Rheinpark. Both parks serve as recreational areas, offering a green escape for locals and visitors. The first attempt to bridge this harbor happened back in 1937. The goal was to provide easier access to the Rhine for Mülheim residents. The initial design featured a steel construction with stairs, cleverly spanning the harbor entrance without obstructing ships. Sadly, budget constraints led to the project being scrapped. Decades later, in 1955, Cologne architect Gerd Lohmer envisioned the bridge as we see it today. Interestingly, he included a sketch of a mythical creature with his design. This creature, with its arched back, feet, head, and tail, embodied the dynamic, “animalistic elements” he saw in the bridge’s arch. He envisioned it leaping across the harbor, much like a dragon, hence the nickname “Dragon Bridge.” Construction of the Katzenbuckelbrücke, undertaken by the Cologne engineering firm Wayss und Freytag, began in 1956. It opened on April 18, 1957, just days before the Bundesgartenschau, a federal horticultural show held in the Rheinpark. The bridge, made of prestressed concrete, boasts an impressive arch with a span of 90.50 meters. Its total length is 171.40 meters, and the bridge’s width is a slender 3 meters. In 1989, this unique structure earned its rightful place as a protected monument. So, next time you cross the Katzenbuckelbrücke, take a moment to appreciate its unusual form. Remember the architect’s vision of a leaping dragon, or perhaps imagine a cat stretching its back across the harbor. It’s a testament to creative engineering and a charming gateway to the city’s green spaces.