Remember that creaking sound? That’s how the old Drehbrücke am Winterhafen once announced its turning. The Drehbrücke am Winterhafen stands before us. It connects the old town with the Mole at Victor-Hugo-Ufer.
This bridge has quite a history. The first Drehbrücke am Winterhafen was built in 1877. This was twelve years after the Winterhafen opened. It allowed ships to pass no matter the water level.
After more than 130 years, the original Drehbrücke am Winterhafen had to be dismantled in March 2009. Time and weather had taken their toll. It simply couldn’t be repaired.
But don’t worry, this isn’t just any replacement. The city insisted the new bridge look like the old one. That’s why the current Drehbrücke am Winterhafen mirrors its predecessor. The new Drehbrücke am Winterhafen was constructed while the old one was taken apart.
The Drehbrücke am Winterhafen even reused the turning mechanism. It was updated with a modern hydraulic system. Believe it or not, the original bridge was turned by manpower alone. The new Drehbrücke am Winterhafen was installed in October 2009.
This structure is more than just a bridge. It is a protected cultural monument. The Drehbrücke am Winterhafen is about 37.5 meters long and 4.5 meters wide. It weighs around 76 tons. The original Drehbrücke am Winterhafen weighed only 21.5 tons.
The Drehbrücke am Winterhafen floor is now made of aluminum. Previously it was made of wooden planks. The pivot point rests on a sandstone pillar. The hidden mechanism has a diameter of 20 centimeters.
The total project cost around 1.1 million Euros. This included making it possible for yachts to enter Winterhafen. This was to increase recreational value in the nearby construction area.
The Drehbrücke am Winterhafen we see today is an asymmetrical, two-winged swing bridge. It’s made of riveted steel framework. The bridge abutments are accented by balustrades. These end in curved masonry with stone benches.
So as you cross the Drehbrücke am Winterhafen, think about its past. Think about the workers who manually swung it open. Think about the ships that passed through. It is a piece of history. It connects us to Mainz’s maritime heritage.