Treasure of the Carol Bridge: Cast iron relief is finally recovered!

Treasure of the Carol Bridge: Cast iron relief is finally recovered!

In Dresden, a piece of history was brought to light: a cast iron relief of the old carol bridge, which had been in the river bed of the Elbe since the Second World War, was recovered. The bridge, which was built between 1892 and 1895, was destroyed to the pillars in 1945. After many years of uncertainty in which the relief was visible in low water and attracted both Dresden and visitor, it is now safe. Neustadt-Ticker reports that the salvage took place in the course of the demolition work of the newer carol bridge and the main goal was to maintain the object from further damage.

The relief measures 1.90 m in height, 1.30 m in width and has a depth of 0.30 m. It is handed over to the Dresden Lapidarum, where it can be stored and possibly restored. The city's monument protection authority coordinates the next steps of metal preservation in cooperation with the State Office for the Preservation of Monuments in Saxony. These initiatives show the commitment to the preservation of Dresden cultural assets, even if an earlier salvage has not come about for cost reasons.

reconstruction of the Carol Bridge

The initiative supports a static safe arch bridge with a span of 120 meters. A legal basis for a new bridge could be given, since the approval for a power pillar has already been granted. Nevertheless, it is expected that extensive adjustments to the collapsed bridge will be necessary, which could result in a planning approval process. Here the city administration hopes to avoid delays in order not to lose sight of a start of construction by 2027.

a look back and forward

The old carol bridge was an impressive construction, 500 meters long and comibated made of stone and iron carrier. She had two power pillars and a bridge track, which was kept quite deep at 16 meters. Until their destruction, the riding sculptures of the sculptor Friedrich Offermann were not removed at the old town of the bridge, which indicates that parts of the structures could continue to remain part of the cityscape.

With the rescue of the relief and the planned new buildings, Dresden shows that the city wants to preserve its history and invest in the future. It remains exciting how the plans for the Carolbrücke develop and how the citizens are included in the design of the new building. In this way, the connection between past and future in Dresden is constantly revived.