This is one of those obscure objects that one may pass by during commutes. You notice it and may even slow down a little as you pass it by. One day you have a few extra minutes and decide to stop and check it out. You exit your vehicle and stand under this massive structure and marvel at its hight: almost 100 feet. Why is this huge stone arch thing standing alone on the side of the road? Well now that your curiousity is piqued you discover that the object is in fact part of a railroad bridge that was built in 1872 and its purpose was to connect the towns of Marnheim and Kirchheim, deep in the countryside north east of the city of Kaiserslautern.

It was originally 260 meters long with the still-present stone arches connected to the rest of the line by steel girders and part-timber bridges. By why are these stone arches standing there all by themselves? Surely it could still be used? Come to find out that the Wehrmacht destroyed the other parts of the bridge in March of 1945 while retreating to the east. Attemps were made after the war to repair the bridge but never came to fruition. If it had, one could take a train from Kaiserslautern all the way to Mainz without having to go all the way to Mannheim to the east. Oh well, you just have to take the Autobahn instead!

Once you’re done admiring the structure, head on down to the Zellertal.

The viaduct sits just south of the federal highway B-47. There is no official parking there, however, the bridge acts as a gateway to the stunning Zellertal which is a small valley to the east through which the B-47 goes all the way to the city of Worms. Take in the quaint wine-producing towns along the route or hike and bike the hills surrounding the valley for amazing wine and stunning views.