Jungfern Bridge

52.5137513.401388888889Koordinaten: 52 ° 30 ' 49.5 "N, 13 ° 24' 5" E

F1

Friedrichsgracht and upper waterway

Kupfergraben

The Virgin in the Berlin district of Mitte Bridge is the oldest surviving bridge in the city and also the only one of the previous nine identical bascule bridges. It spans the Spreearm Kupfergraben and connects the streets Friedrichsgracht and upper waterway.

History

The Jungfernbrücke emerged as Spree lanes bridge in the reign of Elector Friedrich Wilhelm at the turn of the 17th to the 18th century. It was built probably in 1701 reported by Martin Grünberg, at least this is indicated by the chroniclers Friedrich Nicolai 1786. You should connect that led to the Leipziger Tor, one of the city gates of the former Berlin as the wooden drawbridge Friedrichsgracht with the Alte Leipziger Straße on the copper trench ( Schleusengraben today). 1748 was first called " Schmettauschen plan for the Frederick forum " as Jungfernbrücke or Large Jungfernbrücke in. The copper trench was up to the removal of the Landwehr Canal in 1850 and the construction of the Mühlendammschleuse 1890-1893 the only urban waterway between the lower and upper Spree Spree.

In 1798, the bridge structure was replaced by a structure made of wood and iron, the middle part could continue to be raised by chains and wheels to allow vessels to pass through. The bridge is then built to this day still available in their appearance.

Between 1937 and 1939, the river bed was deepened and renewed the nearby Mühlendammschleuse. The Jungfernbrücke received a new foundation, the pillars had to be extended by three meters under these measures. The chain was shut down and thereby set the folding mechanism inoperative. The hinged side parts have been replaced by a solid bridge surface of steel beams with timber decking. The western arch was completely demolished and rebuilt in reinforced concrete. The cable channels on both sides of the bridge were also removed. The approach leading to the bridge ramps stairs gave way, so that they could be used only by pedestrians now.

Multiple thorough renovations in the years 1954, 1967 and 1979 ensured the preservation of the historic building. The last time being basic repairs were carried out 1998/1999 in collaboration with the Berlin State Conservation Office and helped to create an authentic as possible was safe building. All bridge components were removed, checked for condition and used in the bridge after a revision or production possible historically faithful copies again. Were also renewed the wooden planks and the vault of red Miltenberger Main sandstone, which is now placed on an internal construct of steel. This conversion cost around 4.1 million marks. The approach leading to the flaps pavement was designed historicizing new with small stone paving.

Design data

The cross section of Jungfernbrücke was sinusoidal constructed with two unequally wide arched side apertures between the shore and the bridge abutments (3.60 m / 6.60 m inside diameter ). The center part is 8.70 meters, the swing- bridge halves 4.20 meters wide. The bridge pillars and the side openings were built of red sandstone. The portal pillars are made of wood and carry the roles for the pull chains, leading from the valve cusps of the roles of the spill wheels and casters. Arcuate boxes on the pillars take on the role of railways and the guide rails of Zugklappen. The pull chains are fitted with counterweights. On both sides of the bridge bent boxes were for the accommodation of cables that had to be done over the channel. This striking sinusoidal Vorbrückenbögen were demolished and relocated the cable differently.

Since the repair 1997/1998 consists of the middle part of the Jungfernbrücke of steel beams which carry a wooden decking and are laterally covered by wooden shutters. A folding mechanism no longer existed even before that.

Origin of the name

In the 17th century it was still called Spree streets bridge. The name Jungfernbrücke first appears on a map of 1748. The origin of this name is unclear, there are several legends about him:

• Nearby was a men only reserved for river baths. The maiden had to remain on the bridge.
• A wedding custom: The bride had to go over the bridge. Here, when the planks creaked, was to doubt her virginity. (Note: The planks creaked always!)
• Because of jealousy, murder of a young woman on or near the bridge.
• The daughters of a living near Huguenots employed in a booth on the bridge to sew fine linen, with fixing and washing of edges and peaks, and silk stockings. They had herein have the best reputation in all of Berlin. Only her sharp tongue had an even bigger reputation. Who wanted to know the latest gossip, went to the Virgin. Every evil news and malicious fiction could eventually be attributed to the Virgin at the bridge. Hence the nickname gossip bridge is to come.
• After the area of loose women who offered to or at the bridge. Nearby there was the oldest brothel in Berlin.
• The most likely explanation involves two " young ladies " who lived in the nearby inn "French Court " and offered their fine hand work in a small retail facility next to this bridge. The Berlin designated the foreign ladies unceremoniously as "maiden ", so we went to the Virgin at the bridge to buy accessories.

The vernacular and the arts

The boys, the old days had to go to school over this bridge, quiet could be late again. Because against the excuse: " The bridge was jrade uffjezogen! " Could not argue with that teacher.

The East German postal administration formed the Jungfernbrücke onto a special stamp series in 1985. Other stamp issues on the occasion of the 750th anniversary of Berlin contained on the jewelry envelopes of the issue date (19 May 1987) a stroke of the pen drawing of Jungfernbrücke.

The beautiful shapes of the small bridge inspired again and again, especially painters to represent this subject. For tourists, the old Berlin building is a popular sightseeing destination. The popular Berlin composer and conductor Paul Lincke grew up near the Jungfernbrücke.