Adolphe Bridge

The Adolphe Bridge crosses the Pétrusse valley in the middle of Luxembourg City on a double stone arch of about eighty-five metres, opened in 1903 and at the time among the largest stone arches built. It carries the road between the old town and the Gare quarter, and during a renovation completed in the 2010s a suspended walkway for pedestrians and cyclists was hung beneath the deck, which gives an unusual view of the arch from below.

Background

Paul Séjourné, from France, and Albert Rodange, from Luxembourg, designed the bridge. The foundation stone went down on 14 July 1900 and the opening came on 24 July 1903. Its central arch spans 84.65 m, planned at the time as the largest stone arch in existence. The upper deck, 153 m long, carries two road lanes, two footpaths and, since 13 December 2020, trams in both directions, while the lower deck of 2018, 154 m long, takes a two-way cycle path. The name honours Grand Duke Adolphe, who reigned from 1890 until 1905, yet locals still call it the New Bridge, as against the Passerelle of 1859-1861. Walnut Lane Bridge in Philadelphia copied its design.

Source: Wikipedia, "Adolphe Bridge"

What's there

• The stone arch - a double span of about eighty-five metres, large for its date.
• The suspended walkway - the foot and cycle path slung beneath the deck.
• The Petrusse valley - the park and gorge the bridge crosses.
• The city view - the old town and the Gare quarter from the bridge.

When to go

Year round; the bridge and walkway are always open. Evening lighting shows the arch well. The valley park below is best in spring and summer.

Good to know

It is a working road bridge and traffic on it is constant. The best views of the arch are from the valley below, which means walking down. There is no interpretation.

Nearby

Notre-Dame Cathedral is east, and the Petrusse valley runs below.

Key facts