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highest point of its gradient must remain below the topographical profile of the northern
Elbe slope, the northern bridge head would have to be connected to a tunnel which
would cross through the northern Elbe slopes.
Apart from the “New Carola Bridge“, all the city bridges share certain similarities. These
include the arched girders and the lookout terraces, which make the bridges an attractive
place to stop and take in the sights. In this way, the bridges are special destinations unto
themselves, while also providing unique views of the city and landscape. Last but not
least, it is very important to note that due to the almost “trademark“ paintings of the
Dresden skyline by Canaletto, in which August Bridge is almost always at the centre, this
kind of bridge has meanwhile become ingrained as a “typical Dresden city bridge“ in the
collective memory of Elbe Valley residents and visitors, and has become a defining image.
In addition, a longitudinal view of the bridge reveals that the arched design of its mid-
section serves the purpose of aesthetic accentuation rather than structural requirements.
While it needs to be acknowledged that the minimum building height for the box girder
construction at the „Verkehrszug Waldschlösschenbrücke“ river-crossing site can be
reduced by this design, with consequent reduction of the bulk of the central part of the
bridge structure, other bridges in the Dresden Elbe Valley demonstrate that the required
span of 127 metres could be accomplished with less costly technical resources with the
help of modern technology. Moreover, the high arch of the Waldschlösschen Bridge
would be highly distinctive and set the bridge apart from other bridges in the Dresden
Elbe Valley, which are mostly exceedingly modest in design. The characteristic flatness of
the Dresden Elbe bridges is a homage to the unique skyline of the Dresden cityscape and
the grandeur of its cultural landscape.
Loschwitz Bridge is one exception to this rule. Although its expressive design accentuates
this Elbe crossing at least as clearly as the “Verkehrszug Waldschlösschenbrücke“ would,
there are striking differences between the two bridges. The Loschwitz Bridge crosses
the Elbe at a narrow point in the Elbe valley, where Loschwitz and Blasewitz lie directly
opposite each other. As a result, its overall length of 296 metres is relatively short.
Furthermore, the bridge is part of a technical ensemble consisting of the suspension cable
railway, the cable railway and a bridge. This ensemble represents the early industrial
period in Dresden‘s cityscape. It also marks the onset of the development and cultivation
of tourism, an influential phase for the cultural landscape of the Dresden Elbe Valley.
Although Loschwitz Bridge may not have been uncontroversial at the time of its
construction, these are decisive reasons for the fact that, from today‘s point of view,
a “harmonious overall impression of a cultural landscape that has evolved over many
generations“ is to be found at this location in the Elbe valley.