Hammer Bridge (Hammerbrücke)

The original railway bridge, which consisted of two rows of arches one above the other, was blown up by the Belgian army on May 10, 1940 during the Blitzkrieg in an attempt to stop the advance of the enemy army. The soldiers involved were killed. A commemorative plaque at the back of the remains of the old bridge pier commemorates this event.

The "Hammerbrücke" was one of the largest railway bridges in Europe in the 18th century. The bridge was destroyed in the 2nd World War and is being completely rebuilt for high-speed trains.

"Hergenrath is part of the German-speaking community of Belgium and belongs to the municipality of Kelmis. South of the town, the Hammer Bridge leads over the valley of the Göhl. This bridge was built from bricks in 1841-1843 and was the highest railway viaduct in the German Empire until 1897. After being destroyed in World War II and a temporary construction, the viaduct was rebuilt in 1997-1999 in connection with the expansion or new construction of the Aachen - Liège line for high-speed traffic. Part of a pillar of the old bridge can be seen under the new bridge."
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