Saxony

Saxony – the Göltzsch Valley Bridge

The Göltzsch Viaduct in the Vogtland region of Saxony is regarded as the largest brick-built bridge in the world and stands as an outstanding testament to 19th-century engineering. It was built as part of the railway line between Leipzig and Hof to span the deep valley of the Göltzsch River, and consists of several tiers of stacked arches built entirely from brick. Its construction required millions of bricks, most of which were fired in brickworks specially built in the surrounding area. With its imposing height and length, the viaduct was one of the largest structures of its kind at the time of its construction and remains in use for rail traffic to this day.

The Göltzsch Viaduct symbolizes the technical progress and rapid expansion of the railway network in the 19th century, which opened up entire regions economically. It is regarded as a masterpiece of brick construction and continues to be visited by engineers and architecture enthusiasts as a technical monument. For the Vogtland region, the viaduct is a defining landmark and tourist attraction. With the 2032 commemorative 2-euro coin, Saxony honors this impressive structure from the history of the railways.