Ludwigsbruecke (Lion Bridge), Wurzburg

The Lion Bridge is one of seven bridges spanning the Main River, inaugurated in 1895. This bridge carries a three-lane road, two tram lines, and pedestrian paths along its sides. Named after Ludwig III, the bridge's planning dates back to 1882, with design work beginning in April 1885. Construction, funded through bonds, started in 1891, and the bridge was completed in 1894. It was first inaugurated on August 25, 1895, but due to poor weather, a second ceremony was held three weeks later. The bridge's four bronze lion statues, each weighing about 1.4 tons, were crafted by the Ferdinand von Miller ore foundry.

During World War II, the Lion Bridge was heavily damaged by an air raid on February 4, 1945. On April 2, 1945, German troops demolished it to hinder the advancing American forces. U.S. soldiers managed to cross the river and establish a foothold on April 3, allowing the Lion Bridge to become passable again by April 4. The destroyed middle arch was temporarily replaced with a Bailey bridge to facilitate the advancing troops. In 1947, the temporary footbridge was removed after the damaged arch was permanently repaired with a steel structure, and by 1949, the Lion Bridge was restored to its original form. Tram services resumed on September 20, 1949.

The Lion Bridge is a stone arch bridge with a total length of 205 meters, consisting of five arches with a span of 36 meters each between the pillars. The three central arches span the water, supported by four pillars, with the two inner ones in the Main. The clearance height over the river is 5.75 meters. Unlike the slightly older Peace Bridge, the Lion Bridge has not been widened over the years, so cars and trams still share the same route today.