Once a humble boat bridge, the Pont Phario has a story etched in Strasbourg’s history. Let me tell you about it. We are standing at a point that has connected communities for centuries. The first recorded mention of a bridge on this very spot speaks of a simple “boat bridge” across the Ill river.
Fast forward to 1887. Strasbourg and Bischheim were officially linked by a new bridge. Initially named the “Pont de Bischheim”, it wasn’t until the 1940s that it adopted the name Pont Phario. But who was Phario? Phario was the name of an old Bischheim family. Conrath, an architect, mentioned their family farm near the Ill in Bischheim as early as 1862. The name stuck.
Now, imagine Strasbourg during the Second World War. Around thirty of Strasbourg’s bridges were destroyed. Makeshift wooden bridges became essential for crossings. After the war in 1951, the state entrusted the City of Strasbourg with the task of maintaining the temporary wooden bridges. They also had to rebuild thirteen bridges. The Pont Phario was among them.
The Pont Phario was finally reconstructed in the 1950s. It underwent further changes in 1988, when it was expanded. If you look closely at old photos, you might spot the “au rendez-vous des pêcheurs” café. It still exists today. It is in a modern building at the entrance to Bischheim. A man named Monsieur N. pointed out something interesting in one old photo. He said that it showed the hangar that housed a fixed threshing machine. This machine served the entire district. That included Robertsau, Bischheim and Hœnheim. It was used to thresh wheat, barley and oats.
Another photo from 1988 reveals the Cité de l’Ill. It was built between 1958 and 1961. You can also see the fire station built in 1981. The Pont Phario stands as a testament to Strasbourg’s resilience. It connects not just places but also eras. Its story is a reminder that even the most ordinary landmarks have hidden depths. From a simple boat bridge to its role in wartime and its modern expansion, the Pont Phario is more than just a crossing. It is a piece of Strasbourg’s vibrant history.