Waldschlösschen Bridge – Dresden, Germany - Atlas Obscura
Places near me Random place

AO Edited

Waldschlösschen Bridge

Dresden, Germany

The bridge that cost Germany a World Heritage Site. 

View all photos
Waldschlösschen Bridge Getty Images / picture alliance
Waldschlösschen Bridge Getty Images / picture alliance
Waldschlösschen Bridge Getty Images / picture alliance
Waldschlösschen Bridge Daderot / Public Domain
Waldschlösschen Bridge during construction Christian Gebhardt/CC BY-SA 4.0
Waldschlösschen Bridge during construction Brücke-Osteuropa/Public Domain
70
70
Top Places in Dresden
Slaughterhouse Five
Dresden, Germany
touched echo
Dresden, Germany
Dresden Codex
Dresden, Germany
 See All

The Dresden Elbe Valley, with its distinct architecture and natural landscape, was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004. A few years later, a bridge crossing the Elbe river was proposed to ease the traffic congestion in the nearby city of Dresden. UNESCO opposed the move and put Dresden Elbe Valley on the list of endangered World Heritage Sites in 2006 and stated that the valley’s status as a World Heritage Site would be removed if the bridge were to be completed.

Despite protests from activists and environmentalists, the controversial Waldschlösschen Bridge was built nonetheless. UNESCO, true to their word, rescinded Dresden Elbe Valley’s World Heritage status in 2009, making it the second former World Heritage Site in the world. (The other was Oman’s Arabian Oryx Sanctuary, which was de-listed in 2007.)

When Waldschlösschen Bridge opened to the public in 2013, some 65,000 people gathered for the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

unesco engineering rivers bridges
Nearby
Pfunds Molkerei
0.75 miles
Kunsthofpassage Singing Drain Pipes
1.01 miles
'Der Krieg War'
1.62 miles
Want to see fewer ads? Become a Member.
Near This Place
Dresden, Germany

Pfunds Molkerei

In addition to fine dairy products, the world's most beautiful milk shop also offers a feast for the eyes.
Dresden, Germany

Kunsthofpassage Singing Drain Pipes

When the rain falls, this drain system turns into a musical instrument.
Dresden, Germany

'Der Krieg War'

A moving and macabre World War I-era painting by the great artist Otto Dix.
Dresden, Germany

Cockerwiese (Joe Cocker Meadow)

Joe Cocker's 1988 concert at this site in East Germany marked a changing sea tide that would eventually lead to reunification.
Related Places
Ozark, Alabama

Veteran's Memorial Bridge

Now abandoned, the first reinforced concrete bridge in Alabama still stands over the Pea River.
Goz Abu Goma Bridge
Kosti, Sudan

Goz Abu Goma Bridge

One of the largest early 20th-century bridges in Sudan.
The Tridge
Midland, Michigan

The Tridge

This unusual three-way wooden foot bridge spans two rivers at once.
The 516 Arouca Bridge is suspended above the Paiva River.
Arouca, Portugal

Ponte 516 Arouca

One of the world’s longest pedestrian suspension bridges.
In partnership with KAYAK

Plan Your Trip

From Around the Web