Three lions remain. They stand sentinel on their stone pedestals. This is Löwenbrücke in Berlin’s Tiergarten. Once a graceful wire-rope suspension bridge it spanned a waterway flowing into the Neuer See.
The Löwenbrücke wasn’t just any bridge. It held a unique place in Berlin’s history. Built in 1839 it was Berlin’s first suspension bridge. A marvel of engineering for its time it was inspired by a similar bridge in Saint Petersburg. The design came from Ludwig Ferdinand Hesse and Christian Friedrich Tieck. Four cast-iron lions each gripping a cable in its jaws held the bridge aloft. These majestic figures were cast at August Borsig’s foundry near the Oranienburger Tor. They were modeled in the workshop of Christian Daniel Rauch’s student.
The bridge was more than just a crossing. It was a showcase for Borsig’s newly founded ironworks. Its success brought Borsig numerous commissions fueling his rapid rise to prominence. The wooden deck and simple railings completed the design. The entire project cost 2578 Reichstaler and 21 silver groschen a sum not insignificant then.
Sadly World War II destroyed the bridge. Only the lions survived. The bridge was faithfully reconstructed in 1958. However time took its toll. In 2008 the wooden planks deteriorated. The bridge was closed. In 2014 all but three lions were left alone. The lions remain a poignant reminder of the bridge’s former glory. They are silent witnesses to the changes in Berlin. The remaining lions stand proud. A symbol of resilience and a testament to Berlin’s enduring spirit. The reconstruction of the Löwenbrücke has begun. Soon these majestic lions will have their bridge again. A new generation will marvel at this historical wonder.