All About Rakotzbrücke, The Devil's Bridge In Germany

Germany boasts a plethora of historic and fascinating landmarks and monuments, and a legacy of history and culture reflected in its magnificent castles. The town of Saxony in eastern Germany is noted for its stunning architectural marvels, some of which date back to the Middle Ages. Located in a park in Saxony is a bridge that seems to hang in the air over the water, like something from a fairy tale. This is the Rakotzbrücke bridge. Nestled inside the forest of Kromlauer Park in Saxon, it was built in 1860, and is also known as the Devil’s Bridge. The spectacular design is what has made it famous, as it seems to defy all the laws of nature and engineering.

A Handmade Bridge

Made of basalt from Swiss quarries, it was commissioned in 1860 by knight Friedrich Hermann Rotschke and built to give the appearance of a perfect stone circle when reflected in the waters of Rakotzsee Lake below. This remarkable optical illusion is made possible by the bridge's semi-circular shape, slender arches, and skillfully placed stones. The bridge was built totally by hand with local stones, boulders and basalt. Large stones were added straight into the arch, and the rock spires were created to appear as rock outcroppings. To protect the bridge, walking onto the Rakotzbrücke Bridge is prohibited. At either end of the bridge, there are fences and no-entry signs.

What's In A Name

The reference to the structure as a "devil's bridge" is related to its design. The bridge is thought to be so perfect and difficult or impossible to build that people say that it could only have been built with the devil's assistance. According to mediaeval folklore, the devil was a productive architect. Devil's bridges can be seen all throughout Europe.

Places To See

Muskau Park, on the border of Germany and Poland, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site whose gardens and castle look like they're straight out of a fairytale. It was built in the early 1800s by Hermann, Prince of Pückler-Muskau, and is one of just a few UNESCO World Heritage sites located across two countries.

The surrounding town of Görlitz boasts outstanding museums and culture, as well as magnificent countryside, and is located on the border between Germany and Poland. It was also the location for Wes Anderson's film, The Grand Budapest Hotel.

Getting There

The nearest airport is Berlin. Most people visit Rakotzbrücke on a day trip from Berlin. From Berlin, it is a 165 km drive, mostly on the Autobahn, and it takes about two hours to get here. A rather picturesque journey is on a steam train from Weibwasser, known as the Waldeisen Bahn.

Best Time To Visit

Though you can visit the park any time, we suggest you go in spring when the rhododendrons are in full bloom - the colours are beautiful. You can also visit in autumn when the foliage pops with fall colours.