Tourist attraction in Nuremberg remains closed until Christmas - explanation surprised

Created: 05/08/2022Updated: 05/08/2022 07:28

By: Nikolas Pelke

The famous Nuremberg chain bridge is not broken, but it will probably not be allowed to be entered until Christmas.

© Nikolas Pelke

The measure sounds crazy: Nuremberg has to close the oldest chain bridge on the mainland by Christmas, although the unique bridge monument is not broken.

Nuremberg – tourists look into the tube, local residents take detours: the city of Nuremberg has blocked access to what is probably the oldest preserved iron chain bridge on the entire continent with prohibition signs.

The historic footbridge from 1824 may not be entered until Christmas.

Kettensteg blockage: According to the city of Nuremberg, it is technically in perfect condition

The chain bridge, which is just as well-known as it is popular, makes an extremely strong impression.

Curious: When asked, the city of Nuremberg even expressly assured that the iron bridge was technically in the best condition and could at least theoretically be accessed without any problems.

The background to the current closure is the ongoing redesign of neighboring Nageleinplatz, says André Winkel, spokesman for the responsible service company for public spaces in Nuremberg (SÖR).

"Not only will Nageleinsplatz be renovated, but also the so-called Hallertörlein.

This is the small green area between the Hallertorbrücke and the Kettensteg bridge," explains Winkel, explaining the extensive closure of the almost 70-metre-long wrought-iron construction.

The city has already started work on the first construction phase between Hallertorhof and Kettensteg for the redesign of Nageleinsplatz.

At the same time, various works were carried out on the banks of the Pegnitz by the water management office.

The iron suspension bridge, which is record-breaking in many respects, will therefore not be accessible until the end of this year.

Chain bridge in Nuremberg: The last complete closure took place more than ten years ago

More than ten years ago, the people of Nuremberg were last unable to use the convenient shortcut across the river.

In 2009, serious damage to the wooden supports was found.

Originally built in 1824 by Conrad Georg Kuppler, it was the first hanging iron bridge in Germany to be totally free-floating.

The result: when many people marched across the suspension bridge at the same time, the construction, which weighed over 3.5 tons and cost over 3500 guilders at the time, swayed and swayed alarmingly.

In 1930, the city even stated in a technical report that "an adequate security of the chain bridge, especially in the case of crowds, can no longer be considered given".

The problem was solved with a wooden support structure, which stole the bridge's stunning character as a rickety suspension bridge.

During the extensive renovation, a more inconspicuous steel corset was made so that the historical footbridge almost looks like a really dizzying suspension bridge, at least visually.

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All fans of the Kettensteg should soon be able to console themselves with the fact that the city intends to make the area on the Kettensteg the junction between Maxplatz, Nageleinsplatz and the planned shore plateau.

However, tourists will probably react “not amused” that the chain bridge, which is just as famous as it is actually completely flawless, cannot currently be entered until Christmas.