Description of the attraction
The Mittler Brücke Bridge ("Middle Bridge"), built in 1226 by order of Archbishop Heinrich of Thun, is the oldest bridge in Basel and one of the most popular attractions. To protect the expensive bridge, the archbishop founded the fortified town of Little Basel.
An interesting story is connected with Mittler Brücke: the bridge itself consisted of two parts - on one side of the river it was wooden, and on the other - stone. According to the official version, it is believed that this was done because masonry could not be erected from one side of the river because of the greater depth than on the other side. According to an unofficial version, such a bridge was deliberately conceived so that in the event of a war between Small and Greater Basel, it could be burned.
For a very long time, this bridge was the only bridge across the Rhine, but the growing city and its economy required the construction of new bridges, and in the end Mittler Brücke turned from a local connection into a bridge of vital importance for trade.
After the appearance of an electric tram in the city in 1905, the bridge had to be rebuilt, so residents and guests of the city see it now. On both sides at the base, the bridge is adorned with the figures of the famous bully king with his tongue sticking out, taunting everyone who crosses the bridge. But of particular interest to visitors is the replica of a small chapel, which gave an idea of what the bridge looked like earlier, where the death sentences of criminals and women accused of witchcraft were carried out in the Middle Ages. Then it was believed that if a woman thrown into the water floats out, then she is innocent, or she was given a chance from above. After that, the charges were dropped from her and life was given.
