Rathaus Bridge

Rathaus Bridge (German: Rathausbrücke, "Town Hall Bridge") is a bridge in the central Mitte district of Berlin, Germany. Rebuilt in 2012, it is one of the oldest connections between the historic city centres of Alt-Berlin and Cölln across the Spree river. It is named after the nearby Rotes Rathaus city hall.

A first wooden bridge to Spree Island at the site is documented in the 13th century, then the second river crossing parallel to the Mühlendamm causeway in the south. Called Lange Brücke due to its length, it was the site where the double city's burghers erected their common town hall. When the Brandenburg elector Frederick II Irontooth chose Berlin-Cölln as his residence, he had the City Palace erected on the island from 1443 onwards, suspiciously eyed by the citizens. When a new bridge was erected from 1661, the Hohenzollern electors funded part of the costs.

Under the rule of Elector Frederick III, in 1691, plans for a new construction were designed by Johann Arnold Nering in a Baroque style, consistent with the adjacent Palace. Works began the next year and were completed in 1694. Five vaulted arches, richly decorated, spanned the Spree waters; bearing the equestrian statue of "Great Elector" Frederick William of Brandenburg by Andreas Schlüter, which was ceremonially unveiled in 1703. Refurbished under the auspices of Carl Friedrich Schinkel in 1817–19, the bridge remained in use for about 200 years.

...
Wikipedia