Spreuer Bridge

The Spreuer Bridge (Deutsch. 'Spreuerbrücke', formerly also Mühlenbrücke) is one of two extant covered wooden footbridges in the city of Lucerne, Switzerland. Besides the other preserved bridge, the Kapellbrücke, a third bridge of this type - the Hofbrücke - existed in Lucerne, but was demolished in the 19th century.

History

The first bridge was constructed in the 13th century to connect the Mühlenplatz (Mill Place) on the right bank of the Reuss river with the mills in the middle of the river. The extension of the bridge to the left bank was completed only in 1408. This was the only bridge in Lucerne where it was allowed to dump chaff (in German: Spreu, therefore the name Spreuerbrücke) and leaves into the river, as it was the bridge farthest downriver. The bridge was destroyed by a flood in 1566 and then rebuilt, together with a granary as the bridge head, called the Herrenkeller.

Totentanz

The pediments of the Spreuer Bridge contain paintings in the interior triangular frames, which is a feature unique to the wooden bridges of Lucerne. In the case of the Spreuer Bridge, the paintings form a Danse Macabre, known as Totentanz in German, which was created from 1616 to 1637 under the direction of painter Kaspar Meglinger. It is the largest known example of a Totentanz cycle. Of the 67 original paintings, 45 are still in existence. Most of the paintings contain the coat of arms of the donor in the lower left corner and to the right the coat of arms of the donor's wife. The black wooden frames bear explanations in verse and the names of the donors. The paintings also contain portraits of the donors and other exponents of Lucerne society. The painters of Lucerne knew the woodcuts by Hans Holbein the Younger but were more advanced in their painting technique. The images and texts of the Lucerne Danse Macabre are intended to highlight that there's no place in the city, in the country or at sea where death isn't present.

References

Further reading

  • Josef Brülisauer et al.: Die Spreuerbrücke in Luzern. Ein barocker Totentanz von europäischer Bedeutung. Raeber, Luzern 1996. ISBN 3-7239-0090-9.
  • Rolf Paul Dreier: Der Totentanz - ein Motiv der kirchlichen Kunst als Projektionsfläche für profane Botschaften (1425-1650). Leiden 2010. ISBN 978-90-902511-1-0. p. 179-216.
  • Caspar Meglinger: Der Todtentanz. Gemälde auf der Mühlenbrücke in Luzern. Eglin, Luzern 1881. digitized edition at University and State Library Düsseldorf
  • The dance of death on the Muhlenbruke at Lucerne. Eglin, Luzern 1893 digitized edition at University and State Library Düsseldorf
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M.G. Siegler
25 August 2014
The *other* covered bridge in Lucerne. Also nice. Interesting murals.
The Telegraph
21 August 2012
Contemplate its Spreuer Bridge's picture series – painted in 1636 and preserved with egg yolk – depicting the 'dance of death': can you spot two skeletons in each scene?
Marited Liwanag
31 May 2018
Very Nice place. Depiction the historyador if Lucerne in the paunti nga in the ceilings of the Bridge. A must see if you are in Lucerne
Dan Mondragón Somera
17 September 2019
I think is more impressive at night. Also be aware of the massive spiders in every corner, scaryyyy
Tim Vetter
1 June 2012
This covered bridge dating to 1408 contains a series of triangular roof panels painted by Casper Melinger, depicting, movie-style, how the plague affected all levels of society.
Thiago Lopes
9 July 2017
É uma ponte que fica paralela a Kapellbrücke, e que foi construída no mesmo estilo. Não é tão icônica e nem tem belas paisagens como sua "irmã" mas se destaca pelos afrescos que tem em seu teto.
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Map
Spreuerbrücke, 6004 Lucerne, Switzerland Get directions
Fri 10:00 AM–7:00 PM
Sat-Sun 11:00 AM–8:00 PM
Mon 11:00 AM–7:00 PM
Tue 10:00 AM–8:00 PM
Wed Noon–7:00 PM

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