The Mittlerere Brücke Bridge ("Middle Bridge"), built in 1226 by order of the Archbishop Henry of Thun, is the oldest bridge in Basel and one of the most popular attractions. most popular landmarks. To protect the expensive bridge, the archbishop founded the fortified town of Little Basel.
There is an interesting story associated with the Mittlerere Brücke: the bridge itself consisted of two parts - on one side of the river it was wooden, and on the other side it was stone. According to the official version it is believed that this was done because on one side of the river it was not possible to to build a masonry structure on one side of the river because it was deeper than the other. The unofficial version the unofficial version is that it was designed so that, in the event of war. between Little and Great Basel, it could be burnt down.
For a very long time, this bridge was the only bridge across the Rhine, but the growing city and its economy demanded the construction of new bridges, and eventually Mittlerere Brücke was eventually transformed from a means of localised communication into a bridge, of great importance for trade.
After the arrival of the electric tramway in the city in 1905, the bridge had to be 1905, the bridge had to be rebuilt, as residents and visitors still see it today. On both sides at the base of the bridge is decorated with figures of the famous bully king with his tongue sticking out, taunting everyone who walks across the bridge. But of particular interest to visitors a replica of a small chapel, which gives an idea of how the bridge used to look, where in the Middle Ages the death sentences of criminals and and women accused of witchcraft. Back then, it was believed that if a woman thrown into the water. a woman swam up, she was innocent or had been given a chance. After that, the charges against her the charges were dropped and life was granted.
