The Hetzdorf Viaduct is an impressive, listed former railway bridge in Saxony, crossing the Flöha Valley. Here are the key facts:
* Construction period and opening: It was built between 1866 and 1868 as part of the double-track Dresden-Chemnitz (later Dresden-Werdau) main line. The first locomotive ran the bridge on a trial basis on September 23, 1868, and it was opened to rail traffic on March 1, 1869.
* Architecture and dimensions:
* It is 43 meters high and 328 meters long.
* The bridge has four large arches in the center of the valley (with a clear width of 22.66 meters) and thirteen smaller arches.
* In plan, it forms an arch with a radius of 572 meters.
* The building materials used were blue-gray gneiss, granite, and Pirna sandstone.
* It was the highest single-story bridge of the German Reichsbahn.
* Function and decommissioning: The viaduct served railway traffic for 123 years. Due to wear and tear and the need to straighten the line, a new route with two modern prestressed concrete bridges was put into operation in 1992, and the Hetzdorf Viaduct was closed to railway traffic.
* Current use: Today, the Hetzdorf Viaduct is a popular tourist destination and can be crossed on foot. It is part of several hiking trails, including the Baltic Sea-Saale Dams long-distance hiking trail, and offers an unforgettable view over the Flöha Valley.
* Proximity to the "Bastei": Nearby is the so-called Hetzdorf Bastei, from which you can enjoy an excellent view of the viaduct and the surrounding landscape.
In summary, the Hetzdorf Viaduct is an important structure in German railway history and today a popular destination for hikers and nature lovers.