The Neue Elbbrücke, or New Bridge over the Elbe, is one of the most important and distinctive bridges in Germany. It forms part of a complex of crossings that connect the northern districts of the city with the islands in the river, the harbour area and the district of Harburg. The bridge also plays a key role in north-south road and rail transport in Europe. The structure was built in the 19th century and was a marvel of engineering and architecture at the time. Unfortunately, post-war modernisation did not do it justice, with the result that the bridge lost all its character.
The first road bridge over the Norderelbe was built between 1884 and 1887 and was designed with distinctive lenticular girders according to the Lohse system. Granite was chosen as the building material for the pillars. The building received two striking neo-Gothic portals, designed by the architects Wilhelm Hauers and August Pieper. Built in brick and sandstone between 1886 and 1888, the work was on a par with the most famous gateway portals of the Middle Ages, and the overall character was a reference to the architecture of Hanseatic cities. The structure was widened between 1928 and 1929 with the addition of a second bridge to increase its capacity. It was navigated by trams, cars and pedestrians.
Neue Elbbrücke in 1931. photo by Andy Dingley (scanner), public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Despite the heavy bombing of Hamburg during World War II, the structure retained its form and was not destroyed, unlike most of the city’s buildings. Between 1957 and 1960, the bridge underwent a comprehensive modernisation. At that time, the original west bridge and neo-Gothic portals were demolished and the 1929 east bridge was raised by 2.5 metres, allowing the addition of two deck bridges in each direction. This unfortunate decision to remove the gates and modify the lenticular girders reflected the mentality of the time, which placed efficiency and functionality above the preservation of historic architecture. In 1961, the bridge received a new coat of arms for the city of Hamburg on its fronts, designed by graphic designer and painter Alfred Mahlau. The coat of arms of wrought iron and gold leaf on a red background became the new symbol of the crossing.
The Neue Elbbrücke in 1894 and today. Photo: Museum of Arts and Crafts Hamburg, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons and Uwe Rohwedder, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Today, the Neue Elbbrücke is an integral part of Hamburg’s infrastructure, connecting not only the city’s districts, but also serving as an important transport hub for the entire region. This bridge, together with the Old and New Elbe Tunnels, forms the last permanent crossing over the Elbe before its confluence with the North Sea. Despite the loss of its gates and its former character, the structure remains an important part of Hamburg’s architectural history and a testament to the ingenuity of its designers.
Source: de.wikisource.org, civilengineeringinsightscivilinfo.quora.com
Also read: Architecture | Metamorphosis | Renovation | Monument | Germany
