Rakotz Bridge (Devil's Bridge)

The Rakotzbrücke in Kromlau, often called the Devil's Bridge, is one of the most photographed sights in Germany. Its slender stone arch is reflected so perfectly in the still waters of the Rakotzsee lake that bridge and reflection form an almost complete circle. The bridge stands in the Azalea and Rhododendron Park of Kromlau, a village in the Upper Lusatia region of Saxony close to the Polish border, and it is one of the most magical things to do in eastern Germany, especially in spring.

History of the Devil's Bridge

A local landowner, Friedrich Hermann Rötschke, had the bridge built between 1866 and 1875 as the centerpiece of his romantic landscape park. The free-standing arch spans 19.8 meters (65 feet) and is flanked by columns of basalt, part of an ensemble that also includes a grotto and a "basalt organ" rising from the lake. The name "Rakotz" comes from the Sorbian word for crab.

By 2017 the bridge was at serious risk of collapse and was closed in an emergency. Federal and state funding of around €2.4 million paid for a full restoration completed between 2018 and 2021. The bridge has since appeared in films such as The Matrix Resurrections.

Visiting the bridge

• Walking on the bridge is not allowed; it is protected as a fragile monument, but you can photograph it from several points along the shore.
• Tourism sites describe the park as open around the clock and free of charge, except during the annual Park and Blossom Festival on Pentecost weekend; the next one is planned for May 15–17, 2027.
• Parking is charged under the municipal parking regulations; contact the Kromlau park office (+49 3576 222828) for current rates.
• Plan one to two hours to walk around the lake and the surrounding park.

Best time to visit

Come in May, when azaleas and rhododendrons are in bloom, or in October for autumn colors. For the famous full-circle reflection, arrive early in the morning on a calm day, before the wind ripples the water and before the crowds arrive.

How to get there

Kromlau lies a few miles south of the town of Weisswasser in Saxony, about two hours by car from Dresden and somewhat longer from Berlin. Without a car, take a regional train to Weisswasser (Oberlausitz) and continue by bus; regional trains and buses are covered by the Deutschlandticket. At Easter and on weekends from May to October, the narrow-gauge Muskau Forest Railway also runs from Weisswasser to Kromlau, partly with steam locomotives.

Is it worth visiting?

Yes, if you love photography or romantic gardens. Combine it with the UNESCO-listed Muskau Park in nearby Bad Muskau, a landscape garden that straddles the German–Polish border, for a rewarding day trip from Dresden.