Pont de la Montagne Verte

Hidden in plain sight, the Pont de la Montagne Verte carries the A35 motorway over a landscape steeped in history. This bridge, more than just concrete and steel, stands as a testament to the evolving story of the Montagne Verte district. The very name, Montagne Verte, or “Green Mountain,” is a curious paradox. The area is remarkably flat. The name first appeared on a 1775 engraving, “Mill near the Green Mountain.” Before then, it was known as the Saint-Arbogast suburb, after a 7th-century bishop of Strasbourg who frequented the area for prayer. One theory suggests the name arose from an optical illusion. Dense clusters of poplar trees around the old Green Tower (Grünne Warte) may have resembled a hill when viewed from the south. This tower, with its adjacent inn, was a prominent feature until 1974, later replaced by a petrol station. The Pont de la Montagne Verte, built in the 1960s, essentially rests upon the old fortifications of Strasbourg. These fortifications, erected in 1875, became obsolete by 1900. They transformed into a popular promenade, shaded by trees. This “green belt” provided a welcome escape for city dwellers until the construction of the A35 motorway. The motorway’s arrival in 1965 dramatically reshaped the landscape, adding layers of concrete and steel above the historic ground. The Pont de la Montagne Verte, therefore, bridges not just a physical gap, but a temporal one. It connects the present to a past of fortifications, promenades, and a bishop’s quiet retreat. The bridge itself might seem unremarkable. Yet, knowing its connection to the area’s transformation, from a green escape to a bustling urban environment, adds a layer of depth to its presence.