Lift bridge Plau am See
Plau am See lift bridge - an industrial monument in the Baltic Sea region
The Plau am See lift bridge is one of the most striking technical monuments in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. Built in 1916 - with the help of French prisoners of war - it replaced an older wooden drawbridge. As the highest lift bridge in Mecklenburg, it is still a much-photographed landmark of the town of Plau am See and attracts visitors from all over the Baltic Sea region.
Technology and function of the Plau lift bridge
When larger ships pass the Müritz-Elde waterway and want to continue on to the lock or Lake Plau, the bridge is raised by around 1.60 meters. This special mechanical feature makes it a living technical monument that is still in active use today. Since the year 2000, modern automatic drive technology with remote control has ensured smooth operation - implemented in compliance with the preservation order.
History: rescue, reconstruction and restorationIn 1945, the lift bridge narrowly escaped being blown up and was thus preserved as an authentic contemporary witness. It was extensively reconstructed between 1991 and 1992, followed by a comprehensive overhaul in 2000. Today, the bridge is a listed building and one of Plau's most popular photo motifs - comparable to other historical landmarks in the region such as Stralsund harbour or the old town of Wismar.