Can you imagine this Krämpfertorbrücke standing here for over a century? It has silently watched Erfurt grow. The Krämpfertorbrücke is more than just a bridge. It is a vital piece of Erfurt’s history.
Let’s delve into the story of the Krämpfertorbrücke. It spans the Flutgraben. The Flutgraben is a branch of the Gera river. The bridge connects the Krämpfervorstadt to the inner city. This connection was essential for Erfurt’s development.
The Krämpfertorbrücke was built in 1895. This was during the construction of the Flutgraben. It replaced a former city gate. Hermann Kickton planned the bridge. It was built quickly in just six months.
The original bridge was 13.6 meters wide. Its arch spanned 25 meters. The arch’s design is a sight to behold. It is a three hinged arch. Over 142000 bricks were used in its construction. Yellow bricks form a cross pattern. Limestone was used for the facing walls. The Krämpfertorbrücke opened to traffic on December 15 1895.
From 1904 to 1916 a tram line crossed the bridge. This line ran from Anger to Leipziger Straße. Imagine the clanging of the tram as it crossed. This must have been a common sound.
In 1998 the Krämpfertorbrücke was renovated. It was also expanded. The bridge was widened to 19.4 meters. This was needed for a new tram line. A steel concrete arch was added to the south side. This new section is about 5.8 meters wide. The old bridge supports were reinforced with cement. Seeberger sandstone was used to cover the new concrete. The renovation cost four million German Marks.
The Krämpfertorbrücke reopened on October 4 1999. It now carries a lot of traffic. There are sidewalks for pedestrians. A bike path runs along the south side. Two lanes head east. The tram line runs in the middle. A lane towards the city center is integrated into the tram tracks.
The Krämpfertorbrücke has seen many changes. It was built to improve traffic. It has adapted to modern needs. The Krämpfertorbrücke is an important landmark. It carries people every day. It will continue to serve Erfurt for years to come.