Magdeburg Water Bridge – Germany’s Unbelievable River Over a River
The Magdeburg Water Bridge is an architectural masterpiece that was completed in 2003. It spans over the Elbe River in Magdeburg, Germany and is 918 meters long, consisting of six spans. The middle four spans are the longest, each measuring 158 meters, while the two end spans measure 128 meters each. The Water Bridge was built to connect the Elbe-Havel Canal with the Mittellandkanal, two important waterways in Germany. This allows boats to travel between the two canals without passing through the city of Magdeburg, saving time and money and reducing congestion on the canals. The Magdeburg Water Bridge is the largest canal underbridge in Europe, and it is a navigable aqueduct, allowing commercial transportation to cross the river.
The project of this unique water bridge that crosses water, was initially planned in 1905, but was not completed until 2003, and is one of the world’s most unique bridges.
Address: Magdeburg, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany
Sources: Wikipedia, imgur, viatravelers.com
UnusualPlaces Field Notes
- Location
- Magdeburg Water Bridge (Kanalbrücke Magdeburg), Mittelland Canal crossing of the Elbe, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany; marker is the OSM bridge-feature reference point, not the Rothensee visitor/tour meeting point
- Coordinates
- 52.23045, 11.69625
- Access
- The City of Magdeburg lists the Waterway Junction as freely accessible year-round. Its 918 m canal trough can be crossed by wheelchair; the observation tower is reachable only by stairs. Guided tours and ship excursions are separate services with their own schedules.
- Admission
- Free to visit and cross the public canal bridge. Guided visits and boat excursions are separate, may charge a fee and require schedule checks. The published 2026 Elbe cruise season runs through October 25.
- Time needed
- The city publishes no standard duration for an independent visit. The canal bridge itself is 918 m long; time depends on how much of the crossing and the nearby locks you explore. Guided visits or boat trips have separate durations and schedules.
- Best season
- The public crossing is available year-round. If you want a boat excursion as well, the operator’s 2026 Elbe cruise season ends October 25; future schedules may differ.
- Opening hours
- The City of Magdeburg lists year-round free access and publishes no fixed daily opening or closing time for the public Waterway Junction. Check municipal notices for temporary restrictions; boat and guided-tour schedules are separate.
- Location checked
- 2026-10-16
- Facts checked
- 2026-10-13
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Really it is another wonder of the science. We do salute German people and men who have constructed this mega structure without disturbing the nature. I believe that, soon it will be enlisted in the world wonders. I wish more and more success and development of Germany.
Is there a map online somewhere of the Magdeburg conduit, as well as all navigable European canals and rivers?