Olive green and gold, how often do you see that color combination on a bridge? The Flößerbrücke isn’t just any bridge. It’s a Frankfurt landmark with a story as unique as its appearance.
The Flößerbrücke connects the Obermainanlage in the city center with the Deutschherrnufer in Sachsenhausen. This bridge spans 221 meters across the Main River. The Flößerbrücke crosses the Main at an unusual angle of about 70 degrees. Locals sometimes call it “das scheppe Ding,” meaning “the crooked thing.”
But why “Flößerbrücke,” or Raftsmen’s Bridge? The name honors the raftsmen who historically navigated the Main River. They transported timber and other goods. These raftsmen were essential to Frankfurt’s growth.
Interestingly, the first Flößerbrücke was a temporary structure built in 1964. It was meant to ease traffic during renovations on the Alte Brücke or Old Bridge. This temporary bridge was a steel lattice construction, 207 meters long and 10.50 meters wide. It carried three lanes of traffic heading north into the city center.
The temporary Flößerbrücke proved so useful that it remained even after the Alte Brücke was repaired. However, its steel pillars posed a problem for shipping. In the early 1980s, plans for a new bridge began.
The current Flößerbrücke was constructed between 1984 and 1986. It’s the only cable-stayed bridge over the Main in Frankfurt’s city center. Its design was initially controversial. Some found its slanting angle and prominent pylons too dominant.
The bridge has a striking 21.50-meter-high green pylon. This supports the cable-stayed structure. The bridge carries Bundesstraße 3, a federal highway, exclusively northbound with four lanes. Separate pedestrian and bicycle paths flank the roadway. For southbound traffic, you’ll need to use the Ignatz Bubis Bridge, just 70 meters downstream.
The area around the Flößerbrücke has also transformed over the years. In the 1980s, the southern end of the bridge led to industrial areas. The Schlachthof, or slaughterhouse, was located there. Today, this area has been redeveloped into the Deutschherrnviertel, a modern urban district.
Looking north, you’ll see the Weseler Werft, a former transshipment point for building materials. Now, it is a green space with preserved harbor cranes.
From 1997 to 2013, the Deutschherrnufer was the meeting point for Tuesday Night Skating. Every Tuesday, skaters would gather for a tour through the city.
Today, the Flößerbrücke is more than just a road. The Flößerbrücke is a symbol of Frankfurt. It is a testament to the city’s ability to blend history with modernity. The view from the east, with the Flößerbrücke in the foreground and the skyline behind, has become an iconic image of Frankfurt. So, take a moment to appreciate this crooked, colorful bridge.