The Ludendorff Bridge, known as the Remagen Bridge, was a double-track railway bridge over the Rhine between Remagen and Erpel. Commissioned for military reasons in 1916 during World War I, it was renamed in honor of the Army Quartermaster General, Erich Ludendorff, on May 1, 1918, for the inauguration of Kaiser Wilhelm II. On March 7, 1945, at the end of World War II, a small vanguard of US soldiers reached the undamaged bridge and captured it. Wehrmacht soldiers tried in vain to destroy the bridge in the days following its capture, because, according to the Wehrmacht leadership's plans, all Rhine bridges were to be blown up. However, less explosives (300 kg instead of 600 kg) and less efficient explosives (Donarit instead of Ekrasit) were used than planned.
During the demolition, the bridge was briefly lifted from its supports.
It finally collapsed on March 17, 1945, likely as a result of the demolition.
The Peace Museum, located in the bridge towers since 1980, impressively displays images and documents from that time, everyday items and equipment of the soldiers fighting on the bridge, and much more. Visitors are immersed in the historical events of the Battle of Remagen at the original site and will understand the significance of capturing this bridge and the courage and determination required to face the associated real dangers, even one's own death.
The bridge towers on the Remagen side are used as a Peace Museum.
On the Erpel side, cultural events take place in the tunnel.