Magdeburg Water Bridge

The Magdeburg Water Bridge, or Wasserstraßenkreuz Magdeburg, near Hohenwarthe is a rare piece of engineering: the Mittelland Canal crosses the Elbe river on an 918-meter steel trough bridge, so ships sail over the river instead of detouring around it. It is described as the largest canal bridge in Europe. Visiting is free and fits well into a bike ride, a boat trip or a stop at the locks.

Why it is special

The canal bridge is a steel trough 918 meters long. The trough is 34 meters wide and holds 4.25 meters of water, and the bridge as a whole is 43 meters wide. Its longest span is 106.2 meters. Construction began in the 1930s, stopped in 1942 because of the war, and was completed after German reunification. The bridge opened on October 10, 2003. It cost about 130 million euros, while the entire waterway crossing cost more than 500 million euros. Before it opened, ships faced a detour of about 12 kilometers and often had to transfer cargo because of different water levels. In winter, air bubbled along the trough walls keeps ice from forming.

What to see

Walk or cycle along the Elbe toward the bridge, or start at the Hohenwarthe lock, where the Elbe-Havel Canal cycle path begins. With luck you can watch large cargo ships pass through the lock. A viewing platform above the control stand at the Rothensee lock is reached by steel stairs (Zur Schleuse 5, 39126 Magdeburg). The nearby Rothensee boat lift closed in 2006 and reopened in 2013, mainly for tourism. Boat trips on the waterway crossing are offered by the Magdeburg Weiße Flotte.

Tickets and opening hours

According to the ADAC, the site is freely accessible all year, with no admission. As of October 2026 the Weiße Flotte is in its post-season until October 25. Because of low water, its ships currently depart from the boat lift at Rothensee, where there is parking. Check schedules and prices on the Weiße Flotte website (phone +49 391 5328891). A guided tour of about 1.5 hours is listed on weekends in season, but confirm with the Magdeburg tourist information (phone +49 391 19433).

Getting there

Park at the lock car park in Rothensee or at the car park Siedlung Schiffshebewerk, where a time limit applies. Magdeburg is the gateway city, and cycling along the Elbe cycle path is a popular way to reach the bridge. Check Deutsche Bahn and local transit for connections.

Planning tips

The trough bridge is occasionally closed for maintenance, for example for about seven weeks in 2025, and low water on the Elbe can disrupt boat trips. Check current notices before you travel.