Its actually called 'Devils Bridge' …………… There are multiple places around the world that have been named “Devil's Bridge,” due to some sort of supernatural connection, but the most famous one is located in the German town of Kromlau. Known as Rakotzbrücke in German, the parabolic bridge was commissioned in 1860. It forms a perfect circle with its own reflection in the water below, a feat only deemed possible in a fairy tale — or with some otherworldly assistance. Nice but I would fall off
Amazing what you know about far-away places, @Patsy Faye Although it's located in my federal state I've never heard of it. Yet it's a gem, no doubt, and it's part of one of those English landscape gardens that we have here in East Germany and which I like very much. I've been to the one in Bad Muskau, though, which is not too far away from Kromlau and I worked as a gondolier in the English landscape garden near Dessau in Saxony Anhalt, where I was born and lived the first 20 years of my life. As a gondolier and park guide I routinely took my visitors to another bridge with my rowing boat, a scaled-down version of the first iron bridge in the world made of cast iron and built in Shropeshire, England, crossing the River Severn near Coalbrookdale. Yeah, we have that here, too. In contrast to the one in Kromlau, which is not accessible any more, the Iron Bridge is. Since there's no handrail either you need to make sure you don't feel dizzy when crossing it. The rail you see is as high as your ankle.
Such a lovely post Thomas, thank you Yes I'm interested in far away places, all I can do is look but gives me such pleasure to do that I particularly like Germany, I love your buildings and scenery So you were a Gondolier, how romantic - did you sing too ? @Thomas Stearn
What an amazing bridge!!! You would think by now it would be a famous iconic picture and all since it is so perfectly set.
@Bess Barber My new wife and I, back in 1972, travelled to Europe to see some of the places she remembered in Germany, where she grew up. One "must" on the list was a truly amazing monument in Kassel, Germany known as "Herkules". Being just a hick from Illinois, I had no idea what to expect. It was astounding! The copper statue of Hercules is perched atop the tall spire. There are 200 steps leading from the lagoon at the bottom clear up to the statue structure. Looking close, some folk can be seen ascending the steps on the left. So large in scope is it, one picture is inadequate to portray it well. We climbed those steps! The history of it is most interesting. Built beginning in 1701, and took 16 years to complete! See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hercules_monument_(Kassel)
LOL, no I didn't and I can't sing. I wouldn't have called my job gondolier because I'm aware of the associations, had it not been the official name used in the employment contract. The boats are not Venetian-style gondolas but rowing boat called gondolas. Here is one. Mind you, in my days there were more people in a boat than nowadays. The number has been reduced to give them more space so that even girls can do it. The boats are quite heavy especially when it's windy and they need to be manoeuvred through those narrow canals which you can see in the pic with the iron bridge. But l loved my job. I really did. And I learned a lot. It's always funny when I'm back at my old workplace at least once a year (the last time in May this year) and take, and pay for, one of the ferries which are also there and which you have to take sooner or later to cross the lake if you don't want to walk endlessly. Often the ferryman or - woman would start explaining things to me about the park not knowing that they are talking to someone who could do their job. I don't reveal myself, though, and listen patiently ---- and tip them even "before they get me to the other side" (not listening to Chris de Burgh's advice). I didn't know you like Germany. That's a rare quality.
The Gondola looks lovely and I enjoyed your story too I had a German forum friend, he has passed on now but he got me interested in Germany and when I explored the sights online, they were a joy to behold. I can travel there in a way and I have a great imagination to place meself in certain spots
It is …………….. A UNESCO World Heritage site in its entirety, Lübeck, in northern Germany, is packed to the gills with historic architecture, from Brick Gothic-style churches to merchants' mansions. The city, founded in the 12th century, is best known as the former capital of the Hanseatic League and was once one of Europe's major powers. To learn more about Lübeck's rich history, pay a visit to the Museum Holsten Gate at the Old Town entrance.