Adolphe Bridge, Luxembourg (must see)

Even though it's more than 100 years old, the Adolphe Bridge is referred to as the 'new bridge' by the locals. The 'old bridge,' by contrast, refers to the Passarelle or Luxembourg Viaduct.

The bridge was needed as the city expanded, and the Old Bridge was unable to accommodate the amount of traffic that the city now saw. Local architect Albert Rodange was hired to develop plans for the new bridge, but the city also hired Frenchman Paul Séjourné, who had years of bridge-building experience.

Séjourné's final plan was audacious for the day. Instead of building the bridge like a traditional viaduct with many medium-sized arches, Séjourné sought to make the bridge with one large central arch and many smaller ones to support it. The main structures were made of sandstone, while the roadway was made of a relatively new material—reinforced concrete.

The original structure was opened in 1903 and featured both road and rail traffic. The rails were eventually removed when Luxembourg phased out the use of tram cars. In 2004, the bridge was structurally reinforced with prestressed steel bars.

Between 2014 and 2017, plans were put into action to reintroduce trams in Luxembourg. The bridge was widened and reinforced to accept the new rail lines. Additionally, a second level was suspended below the current level that carries pedestrian and bicycle traffic.

The beautiful bridge has inspired some copycats. Both the bridge over the River Garonne at Toulon and the Walnut Land Bridge in Philadelphia are based on the Adolphe Bridge.

Why You Should Visit:
The views from the pedestrian bridge of the valley below and Luxembourg, in general, are lovely. The bridge connects old town Luxembourg on the north with the Gare District to the south.

Tips:
Great views of the bridge can be seen from Constitution Square, near the Gëlle Fra monument, and from the Pétrusse Valley below. One of the best overlooks of the bridge is from the Pétrusse Casemates. If you're after photos, the bridge is lit well at night for stunning time-lapses or long exposures.

The Adolphe Bridge's pedestrian path is a great way to connect from Ville-Haute to the Plateau Bourbon and Gare District on the south side.