Ancient carved representation of the historic Carola Bridge in metal cast iron.
Taking a Dip in History: Old Carol Bridge's Relief Surfaces After 76 Years!
Pop the champagne and grab your history cap, folks! A monumental piece of Dresden's past has emerged from the depths of Elbe riverbed after 76 years! A cast iron relief of the old Carol Bridge, constructed between 1892 and 1895, was discovered during the demolition works of the newer Carol Bridge.
Originally destroyed during World War II, the relief had been lying in the riverbed. During low water levels, it served as a mini history attraction for the locals on the Neustadt side. However, it remained a hidden treasure due to cost reasons until now!
The unearthed relief will now reside at the Dresden Lapidarium for safekeeping and restoration. The city's Denkmalschutzbehörde (Heritage Protection Authority) and the Landesamt für Denkmalpflege Sachsen (State Office for Heritage Preservation) are collaborating to determine the metal conservation process for this historical find.
In a delightful press release, the city of Dresden hinted that this piece of history might find a home in the vicinity of the future third Carol Bridge.
Gearing Up for a New Carol Bridge
The Initiative Carol Bridge, a group advocating for a sustainable and aesthetically pleasing Elbe crossing, has proposed a new bridge concept after their previous idea met with no city council support. Their proposed model adheres to historical precedents, minimizing the need for additional power poles, and promises to meet all requirements, including heritage protection standards.
Recently, Dresden's Lord Mayor, Stephan Kühn, confirmed the practicality of the CDU's proposal for a two-story bridge. The Initiative suggests that the design should mirror the typical Dresden arch bridge, and the people should be involved in the decision-making process to create a culture-rich addition to the city skyline.
A Bridge for the People
To ensure an architecture-loving populace's input, the initiative demands that planning offices submit two designs, with one design aesthetically inspired by the original 1895 Carol Bridge. Furthermore, the competition procedure should involve the city council and the public. The growing support for a historical design, as demonstrated in petitions and surveys, should not be overlooked.
While the initiative stresses the importance of a robust arch construction for the new bridge, they are also exploring the legal feasibility of a new arch bridge. The city previously received a special permit for a power pole for the rebuilding of the collapsed bridge, which allows for alternative solutions. Both the Waterways and Shipping Authority and the Federal Ministry of Transport have endorsed historically-oriented bridge types, leading the initiative to believe that a historically-inspired solution could be approved.
Old Glory Holds Up: Exploring the Past, Embracing the Future
The initiative expects that obtaining a permit for a simple rebuild may not be possible as the existing bridge does not meet current safety and modern standards. This would likely result in a plan approval procedure, delaying the start of construction. The city administration is keen to avoid such delays.
Even with the fastest possible planning, the administration predicts the start of construction in 2027. They look forward to unearthing more pieces of Dresden's rich history and embracing the future with a bridge that honors its past.
[1] Enrichment Data: According to the Denkmalschutzbehörde (heritage protection authority) of the city of Dresden, efforts are currently being made to provide a suitable location for the recovered cast iron relief from the old Carol Bridge, likely close to the third Carol Bridge, serving as a historical reminder.
Discuss the potential for a historical design influenced by the old Carol Bridge in the upcoming third Carol Bridge, fostering an architectural connection between past and present.
The Denkmalschutzbehörde (heritage protection authority) of Dresden is currently planning to find a suitable location for the recovered cast iron relief from the old Carol Bridge, which may be near the third Carol Bridge, serving as a historical reminder.
