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Lower Stone Bridge

Lower Stone Bridge

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Lower Stone Bridge

Name: Lower Stone Bridge
Rating: 2

Recommended by 15 hikers

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Location: Vogtland, Saxony, Germany

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Best Hikes to Lower Stone Bridge

4.6

(16)

hikers

1. Sun Temple Theresienstein – Haus Theresienstein loop from Hof Hauptbahnhof

9.95km

02:42

140m

Intermediate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Intermediate

4.7

(7)

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2. Haus Theresienstein – Botanical Garden Hof loop from Hof

8.42km

02:17

110m

Intermediate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Intermediate

4.0

(3)

hikers

3. Sonnentempel Theresienstein – Bismarck Pond and Stone Bridge loop from Hof

9.77km

02:38

120m

Intermediate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Intermediate

Tips

Staufer

May 12, 2025

Lower Stone Bridge

Due to its location, Hof was an important trading post between Leipzig, Eger, and Bayreuth since its first mention in 1214, and probably even before. People settled very early on at a topographically well-situated ford over the Saxon Saale River. Over time, this village-like settlement developed into the town of Hof. The town grew continuously along the northward trade route, with the maintenance and expansion of important roads being essential for the town's prosperity. For this reason, the construction of a paved arterial road between the "inner" and "outer" suburbs became necessary, prompting the construction of the Lower Stone Bridge.
The exact year of construction of the Lower Stone Bridge is unknown. The first depiction of the characteristic structure with its three arches dates from 1553. The bridge may have been built together with the "Lower Gate" in 1230, as this also required the construction of an arterial road over the Saale. Other sources speak of 1260, when the Saale was dammed to operate the Hospital Mill, and a ford that had existed until then could no longer be used.

Over the following centuries, the bridge was restored several times and subjected to extensive reconstruction. For example, the renewal of the bridge arches and pillars, completed in 1706, of which marble inscription stones still bear witness today. The last extensive reconstruction took place in 1878. Due to the changing use as a transport route, the roadway and sidewalks were widened, among other things.

In 1945, the two western bridge arches were blown up to prevent or impede the invasion of Allied troops. Five years later, the remains were demolished and rebuilt with new, historicist-style brickwork. Excavations in 2017 uncovered the medieval wing walls of the bridge structure, which had previously served their purpose. The archaeological investigation yielded extensive insights into how the Lower Stone Bridge was built in the Middle Ages and which materials, construction types, and designs were used.

Source: Excerpts from itv-grabungen.de/magazin/die-geschichte-der-unteren-steinernen-bruecke-hof

Translated by Google •

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Elevation 520 m

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Thursday 23 October

13°C

7°C

100 %

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Max wind speed: 23.0 km/h

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See hikes here

Take Me There

Location: Vogtland, Saxony, Germany

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Lower Stone Bridge

1. Sun Temple Theresienstein – Haus Theresienstein loop from Hof Hauptbahnhof

2. Haus Theresienstein – Botanical Garden Hof loop from Hof

3. Sonnentempel Theresienstein – Bismarck Pond and Stone Bridge loop from Hof

Other Popular Places to Check Out

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