Europa Bridge – Secret Innsbruck Attraction
The Europa bridge is the largest bridge, the Brenner motorway (A‑13 / E45). It was built between 1959 and 1963, and was about 190 feet above the valley floor up to the mid-1970s, the highest bridge in Europe. With a total length of about 820 m and a Central span of 198 m, between the pillars, it is considered the masterpiece of the post-war period. Every year, up to 19 million vehicles pass through this important North‑South connection. In addition to its traffic importance, it is also interesting for tourists: Since 1984, the bridge for Bungee Jumping is used and provides vantage points. Little is known of the Europe’s chapel as a memorial.
The Europa bridge is a special building in Austria. It is the most famous part of the A13 Brenner motorway and spans the WIPP valley, between the towns of soaking and Schönberg im Stubaital. The bridge is maintained by the Brenner motorway, AG, and was opened in 1963. The Europe bridge is a girder bridge with a total length of 815 metres and a width of 24.6 meters. Its maximum span is 198 meters. With a height of 190 meters above the Sill river, was completed for about 10 years, the highest bridge in Europe. Its highest pillar with a height of 146,5 meters is the highest bridge piers in the world. To this day it is the highest bridge in Austria.
Yes, I know, the Europa-bridge in Innsbruck is located in the old town of Innsbruck. After it is but one of the most monumental buildings in and around Innsbruck , I would like to you some information to give. You should namely the South Tyrol, or still further to the South, from Italy to Innsbruck by car, you drive over the famous bridge of Europe. And maybe you want to make your next travel a short stop, once you have these lines to be read? What almost no one knows: There is a viewing platform and the Europe chapel! You are right at the bridge, but in passing on unheedingly. We are extra stayed on the screen and have it looked at us. The bridge is huge and monumental: Even from the Top of Innsbruck on the hafelekar peak is the bridge to see, here’s the picture:
GOOD TO KNOW ABOUT THE BRIDGE OF EUROPE
The Europe bridge serves as a vital link of the Brenner motorway. Every year, up to 19 million vehicles drive over this bridge. It is a heart of the Alpine transit traffic. Since 1984, it is also accessible to pedestrians, and is even used for Bungee Jumping. The bridge is located about 7 km South of Innsbruck. In the vicinity of the bridge, the connection point Patsch-Igls, the Brenner motorway, as well as the Europe bridge-Parking with Europe chapel. Below the bridge the building of the Sillwerks, where the Wasserkfrat the Sill, you can generate electricity are. The Brenner road B182 runs along the left slope of the valley, while the tracks of the railway run partially in tunnels, on the right slope of the valley. The Europe bridge has undergone over the years, several reinforcements and renovations to the increasing traffic loads. In addition, the use of wind power was in the year 2023 on the bridge, introduced by micro-wind turbines were installed at the bridge piers.
How do I get to the vantage point on the bridge of Europe?
The Europe bridge is one of the most outstanding construction of the Brenner motorway,. it spans the whole of the Wipptal and is therefore proud 820 meters long. If you come from the South and you all want to see, you need to watch after the exit Schönberg. There is a possibility of coming to this exit to exit the highway and drive on a grid Parking with a stop and a gas station. There you can Park and to the starting point to go. From the North, coming from Innsbruck it is easier. You go first, with the car on the Europe bridge and turn immediately right onto the locking-Parking. For quick orientation, here is the Link to Google map. You can Park here for free. This is true during the day, the overnight Parking is prohibited!
–> all the info on the Brenner pass
Europa bridge – a Symbol of transit
From the Parking lot, I Orient myself towards the valley, so the direction of Innsbruck, and thus the direction of the bridge of Europe. Look at the end of the Parking lot, there, you see to the right are the remains of the former Roman road. Symbolically here were found the Remains dug in, the man at the Brenner pass has found. You can see the large stones over the years and because of the already high frequency of the car, the metal car tires cut in the stone. Already in Roman times was the burner is one of the main transport routes from North to South. This was especially because of the Brenner pass with an altitude of 1372 meters above the sea is relatively low. The other passes of the Alps are higher, and thus to overcome the difficult.
And so the torch is already at the time of the Etruscans and the Romans, one of the main transport routes over the Alps. The importance of Alpine crossing has become in our time low. Therefore, the Brenner motorway was built, in order to make the journey over the burner more convenient. The Europe bridge is the most prominent structure in the whole of the Brenner motorway and thus, a Monument, and you also can.
Europa Bridge Brenner
From the stones of the former Roman road, a paved path to the Europe bridge. He is structurally separated from the highway, so that you can easily walk the few minutes to the bridge of Europe. Directly in front of the bridge to the left of the road, a viewing platform. You can enter free of charge and take a look at the Europe-bridge in velvet highway throw. Almost 200 meters at the deepest point down in the Sillschlucht. From the viewing platform that is not as good. The best thing is you get a couple of meters on the Europe bridge, then you get a better impression of depth. In addition to the driving lane, a footpath, the use officially at your own risk and also over the whole of the Europe bridge can.
The Europa bridge view from the Europe chapel
I recommend you, in any case, the walk up to the Europe chapel. right next to the viewing platform in the Europe-bridge lead levels upstream. They lead you on a hill. Up there, the Europe was built chapel. You should remember the workers who died in the construction of the Brenner motorway killed. Behind the chapel is another vantage point. He is even better than the viewing platform right next to the bridge of Europe. After he is somewhat hidden and not signposted, find, but even fewer people here. Here is the look of this secret view-point:
Look at the modern Europe chapel at. She reminds me so, of a chapel. Rather, it is a very sober building by architects. To me a classic chapel would have been better. This is my opinion. Behind the Europe chapel is a wide paved path back to the Parking lot at the rest stop. So you can walk a little Around.
KNOW CHAPEL VALUE OVER THE EUROPE
The Europe chapel is dedicated to Saint John of Nepomuk, the patron Saint of bridges and Christopher, the patron Saint of motorists. It is located on a hill in the municipality Schönberg im Stubaital. It is located about 120 yards North of the Parking lot of the roadhouse bridge of Europe. A footpath leads from the Parking lot to the chapel. The construction of the Europe chapel was on 9. February 1960, decided shortly after the Work had begun on the bridge. The chapel was completed to a design by the Innsbruck architect Hubert Prachensky in the year 1963. The consecration took place on 16. November 1963 by the Abbot of the monastery Wilten, Alois Stöger, instead. The chapel was built as a memorial for the construction of motorway accidents workers. The artistic design of the chapel was completed in 1964 by the painter Karl Plattner from the South Tyrol region, created a cycle of frescoes. The Europe chapel has a rhombus-shaped base surface with a Diagonal of 40 and 30 meters.
A wide staircase leads up to a raised area that widens towards the top, and the majority of the Rhombus occupies. There is a roof, under which the actual chapel is of a triangular Form. The visitors-facing side of the chapel is provided with a retractable glass wall. In the chapel is a simple Altar stands in front of a window that is embedded in the back corner of the boundary walls and a magnificent view of the Europe bridge. The walls inside and outside of the chapel are covered with frescoes by Karl Plattner. This is the point of the bridge, as well as scenes from the history of the region and of Europe, including the mythological depiction of Europe, riding on a bull. At the bottom of the staircase is a plaque with the names of the 22 Victims that died in the construction of the bridge were killed. At the upper end of the stairs there is a rising freestanding bell tower, standing braces made of metal, which is visible from afar.
Europa Bridge Toll
Driving on the Europe bridge is only used for payment. The Europa bridge toll pay you when Driving on the Brenner motorway. If you’re just the piece from Innsbruck-Süd to Schoenberg on the A13 motorway, are to be paid 4 euros (as of 2026) for a ride. On this part of the route you come over the bridge. To Innsbruck, South of the highway is toll-free. The motorway section of the Innsbruck-Süd to the burner is not subject to road tax, you must pay a special toll.
More Of Innsbruck Attractions
I found the trip extraordinary, but also interesting. How often I’ve been on the Europe bridge to see without all of that. Therefore, I wanted to you these impressions give, even if the Europe bridge, certainly not to the classical Innsbruck attractions counts. You want to Innsbruck tips? Then click here:
Innsbruck, tips to remember and share!
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