A Short History of the Krämerbrücke

he Krämerbrücke, or Merchants' Bridge, is one of Europe's most remarkable medieval structures, dating back to the 12th century when it was first built as a wooden bridge prone to frequent fires. The current stone version was completed in 1325 after devastating blazes in 1265 and 1293 prompted the city to acquire rights from local monasteries and construct a durable limestone and sandstone arch bridge spanning 125 meters across the Breitstrom branch of the Gera River. Flanked by churches—St. Benedict's (later partially demolished in 1810) and St. Giles' (Ägidienkirche)—it became a vital hub on the Via Regia trade route, facilitating commerce in spices, dyes, and local goods like woad. By 1472, a massive fire destroyed much of Erfurt and the bridge's stalls, leading to the addition of 62 half-timbered houses (now 32), creating the longest inhabited bridge in Europe. It survived World War II damage with post-1954 reconstruction and continues as a living monument, home to about 80 residents and artisan shops, celebrated annually at the Krämerbrückenfest in June.