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Swing bridge island town Malchow

Swing bridge island town Malchow
The approximately 15-metre-long new building is a landmark of the town and opens every hour on the hour to allow ships sailing on the Müritz-Elde waterway to pass through. Around 20,000 boats or ships pass through this narrowest point between Lake Plau and Müritz every year. The landmark is also a pivotal point on land: it connects the historic island of Malchow with the mainland. The moving story: In order to ensure a further connection to the mainland in addition to the earth dam, a lift bridge was initially erected, which had to make way for a manual, wooden swing bridge in 1863. Due to increased traffic during industrialization, this model was also replaced by a steel structure in December 1912. After more than 30 years, this bridge was destroyed in the Second World War and not rebuilt until 1948/49. During this time, traffic was carried by ferry. The bridge, which was powered by an electric motor for the first time, continued to fall apart until 1980. After ten years of closure due to severe damage, a functional swing bridge was reopened on December 12, 1990. In September 2012, work began on the complete renovation of the swing bridge and foundations. After almost a year of construction, the project was completed in 2013. In 2014, the new swing bridge was awarded the public prize and a commendation for the 2014 State Construction Prize.

Slewing bridge Inselstadt Malchow - a landmark between Plauer See and Müritz

The swing bridge of the island town of Malchow is one of the most striking landmarks in inland Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. The approximately 15-metre-long new construction connects the historic island of Malchow with the mainland and opens every hour on the hour to allow ships to pass through on the Müritz-Elde waterway. Around 20,000 boats and ships pass through this narrowest point between Lake Plau and Müritz every year - an impressive spectacle that attracts visitors from all over the Baltic Sea region.

From lifting bridge to award-winning steel structure - the history of the Malchow swing bridge

The history of the bridge goes back a long way: initially built as a lifting bridge, it was replaced by a manual wooden swing bridge in 1863. With increasing industrialization, a steel construction followed in 1912, which was destroyed during the Second World War and rebuilt in 1948/49. After decades of decay and ten years of decommissioning, a functional swing bridge was reopened on December 12, 1990. The current new construction was built after a complete renovation in 2013 and was awarded the public prize and a commendation for the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern State Building Prize in 2014.

Discover Malchow - excursion destination in the heart of the Mecklenburg Lake District

Malchow is located in the heart of the Mecklenburg Lake District and is a worthwhile excursion destination for travelers exploring the coastal region of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. Those who have already visited places such as Rostock, Wismar or Stralsund will find a quieter, more natural contrast here - characterized by water, history and the unique spectacle of the rotating bridge.