"Modern Era Bridges…Historical Significance..." Top 5 Page for this destination Fribourg Off The Beaten Path Tip by Greggor58

Given that the city of Fribourg is built along the banks of a river and that river snakes and bends it stands to reason that the city has an abundance of bridges to cross that body of water.

There are two modern bridges that I think are unique and both bridges are a part of the skyline of modern day Fribourg. The two bridges are the Zaehringen Bridge and the Gotteron Bridge.

The Gotteron Bridge that exists today spans the Gotteron Gorge about 60 meters above ground level. The bridge that you see today is an arched bridge that replaces an earlier suspension bridge that was built in 1840.
This early version of a suspension type bridge was unique in that the metal cables that were strung to support the structure were not attached to the towers of the bridge, but set within the rock of the gorge itself. Sadly this suspension bridge collapsed in 1919 and was eventually replaced.
The present version of the Gotteron Bridge was constructed between 1959 and 1960 and is made of reinforced concrete. The span of the Gotteron is176 meters and nowadays the Route de Bourguillon is the roadway that crosses the bridge,bringing traffic from outside of the city.

The Zaehringen Bridge is another prominent structure of the Fribourg skyline, an arched double deck bridge, one upper that is wide enough only for one vehicle at a time, and a lower deck that carries traffic in the opposite direction..
This version of the Zaehringen Bridge was built in 1924 and curiously also replaced another suspension type bridge that had become obsolete. When the original suspension bridge was built here in 1834 it was the LONGEST suspension bridge in the World until its span was eclipsed just fifteen years later in 1849 by the Wheeling Suspension Bridge of Wheeling West Virginia.

n addition to these two vehicular bridges there also two suspension type bridges that are for foot traffic only and BOTH offer some interesting views of the river. Both foot bridges are accessed from Rue des Neigles on the east side of the river.

The one that we crossed is called “Passerelle des Neigles” and this bridge will enable access to the Port de Morat or the Morat Gate and to some remnants of the wall that once surrounded the city.
I didn’t cross on the other footbridge, named the “Passerelle du Grabansaal” but this bridge brings you closer to the area referred to as the Bourg.

If you’re not afraid of heights try to include a walk across the Zaehringen Bridge for some wonderful view of the river, the Bern Bridge, the Bern Gate, the Cats Tower and the Red Tower.
Walking across the footbridges also offers some terrific views of the river and its banks and you really should if you’re able to see these views!

The first photo is of the Gotteron Bridge as seen from the Zaehringen Bridge,also included i this photo you can see the bern bridge in the lower right,the bern Gate on the left and the Cats Tower as well as a portion of the existing old walls of the city.

The second photo is of the Zaehringen Brudge as seen from the Bern Bridge.

The third photo is of the Zaehringen Bridge as seen from a pulloput just as you cross the Gotteron Bridge.

The furth photo is taken as we drove on the lower deck of the Zaehringen Bridge.