There’s nothing more magical than the Rakotzbrücke, also known as Devil’s Bridge. It was built in 1860. No matter from what vantage point the bridge and its reflection are viewed, thanks to their unique construction accuracy, they form a perfect circle. A professional photographer’s favorite spot is this extraordinary sight.
A 7.8-meter-long and 6.5-meter-wide bridge spanning Rakotz Lake, the Rakotzbrücke (also known as Teufelsbrücke) is one of Germany’s most well-known structures. There is a radius of 2.2 meters for the inner arch and a radius of 3.4 meters for the outer arch. Abutments and side weights measure 3.6 meters and 2.0 meters, respectively.
Both ends of the bridge and the pointed rocks that sit out in the lake are manmade, including the jagged, rocky spires. The delicate arch of this bridge makes it the Devil’s Bridge, even though Satan did not play a role in its construction. It must have been built by Satan. Medieval times saw the construction of many Devil’s Bridges.
The delicately arched devil’s bridge is nestled among the lush foliage. It was specifically built to reflect the water beneath it creating a circle. In the small park of Saxony, Germany, you will find this unique bridge. The location of Rakotzbrücke makes it difficult to get here since there is no major city nearby. You can turn this visit into a wonderful day trip if you combine it with other nearby destinations.
The devil could only have helped build these masonry bridges because they are either spectacular or challenging to construct. According to a few legends, Satan helped to build the bridge in exchange for the soul of the first person who crossed it. There is a folktale associated with each bridge. Once you’re here, it’s a quick trip. You can take plenty of photos, stroll around the lake, and enjoy the views of the rare bridge. Listen to the sounds of nature, like birds chirping all over.
Feel the beauty of pure magic in nature. You will feel like you are on a different planet. When the waters are still and the light is right, the bridge’s curvature creates the illusion of a complete stone circle. There are two thin rock spires at each end of the Rakotzbrücke that look like natural basalt columns that can be found on many German sites.
Rhododendrons and azaleas abound in Kromlau Park in the spring, making it a pleasant place to visit. Indeed, this is a fascinating place to visit during the autumn, when the bridge is surrounded by the changing colors of the season. For the sake of preserving the bridge, walking on Rakotzbrücke is prohibited. Both ends of the bridge have fences and Verboten (Do Not Enter) signs.
A bridge like this is quite far away from Berlin, even a unique one like this. You can turn this visit into a really cool road trip if you have a car and want to combine Rakotzbrücke with other nearby destinations. A day trip to Devil’s Bridge, the cute town of Görlitz, and the stunning Bastei Bridge can be done in one day.
