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last update: 2009-06-10 |
 | Germany
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TO NORTHERN VOGTLAND!
| YOU WON'T REGRET YOUR VISIT!
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Although a relatively small area, Northern Vogtland, comprising |
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The Göltzschtal bridge and the Elstertal bridge are sights in Vogtland
which cannot be missed, often literally. They are considered to be not only
two of the greatest achievements of the German Railway Company of the time,
but also of international architectural importance.
The Göltzschtal bridge is the biggest brick bridge in the world; the Elstertal bridge fondly referred to as its 'little sister'. Both attract thousands of visitors each year who come to admire the sheer splendour, high quality masonry and architectural design of the bridges. Seen in perspective of the time they were built and the limited technology available, the viaducts become even more awe-inspiring.
The two viaducts were built between the years 1846 and 1851 as part of
the Saxon-Bavarian State railway. This was begun in 1841 and ran from Leipzig
to Nuremberg. They were necessary to cross the deep Göltzsch and White
Elster valleys but many were unconvinced that this could be done Tile locomotive
engines at the time could only cope with an increase of 1 metre in every
100. 
The fact that a 30m high brick bridge had recently collapsed in Northern
Prance did nothing to inspire the people's confidence. The sheer size of
the bridges and the weight of the. continuous rail traffic they would have
to bear presented an unprecedented design task.
A competition was organised in 1845 with 81 entries submitted, none of which
were deerned satisfactory The Examining Committee, comprising the top construction
experts in Saxony, therefore decided to draw up a project themselves. Prof.
Johann Andreas Schubert, a local man from Wernesgrün, was appointed
design engineer. He was already held in high esteem and had proved his technical
skill by having constructed the first German locomotive the Saxonia and
the first German steam ship.
Suggested day trips from Northern Vogtland:
- visit the Pirk or PöhI dams and take a steamer trip on the Pöhl.
- Walk from Jocketa to the Elstertal bridge, the 'little sister' of the Göltzschtal bridge.
- Visit the famous race town of Plauen, or the stalactite caves of Syrau.
- Take a trip to the music corner of Vogtland, The towns of Markneukirchen and Klingental famous for their production of quality musical instruments. Visit the Music Instrument Museum in Markneukirchen.
- Practice winter sports in Mühlleiten or Aschberg.
- Take the waters or just admire the splendour of spa towns Bad Elster and Bad Brambach.
- Visit the town of Greiz in nearby Thuringia and see the park and the castle.
- Drive to the nearby Czech Republic or to Bavaria.
- Go hiking following one of our well marked walking trails.
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[Mylau] [Netzschkau] [Göltzschtalbridge]