The best waterfall hikes and walks around Mainparksee

A beautiful view of Schönbusch Castle and Schönbusch Lake.

The Devil's Bridge in Schönbusch Park is a fascinating pedestrian bridge, built in 1788, that connects two artificially created hills. These so-called "mountains" were previously formed between 1776 and 1779 from the excavated earth of the Lower Lake. When the famous garden artist Friedrich Ludwig von Sckell took over the design of the park, he was inspired by the world-famous, wildly romantic Devil's Bridge in the Swiss Schöllenen Gorge on the St. Gotthard Massif for the name of the bridge. While the Swiss model, however, represents a monumental structure in a threatening gorge, Sckell pursued a completely different garden philosophy in Aschaffenburg. As he was no friend of gloomy park scenery, he deliberately removed the "gruesome" from the motif and gave it a light, friendly character instead by having a delicate, white-painted bridge structure erected. The bridge has undergone several structural changes over the centuries. The original variant from 1788 had a span of around 20 meters and was made entirely of wood, with the first designs even consisting of roughly hewn tree trunks. However, since wood is susceptible to weathering outdoors, the structure was replaced by a more stable iron bridge in 1875. The structure, over which park visitors stroll today, is a modern steel bridge from 1985, which, however, is visually modeled on the historical plans. During a comprehensive renovation by the Bavarian Administration of Palaces and Gardens in 2008, the deck was laid with 105 new oak planks, and the delicate railing regained its traditional, bright white paint. For park visitors, the Devil's Bridge fulfills an important function in the path network of the landscape garden, as it provides direct access to the neighboring, historically significant viewing tower. Those who stop in the middle of the almost 18-meter-long bridge enjoy a wonderful view down onto the Lower Lake and the surrounding walking paths. Together with the artificial hills and the tower, the Devil's Bridge forms a classic ensemble of garden architecture from the Goethe era, harmoniously blending nature and man-made structures.

The swing bridge was built in the late 19th century and originally served a very practical purpose within park maintenance and historical boat trips. As the Schönbusch park is famous for its artificial waters, on which the courtly society used to stroll with gondolas and boats, a construction was needed that, if necessary, would allow larger boats, maintenance barges, or gardeners' maintenance equipment to pass through, without a fixed, high bridge disturbing the flat, harmonious landscape. The bridge rests on a central swing pier anchored in the water and can be swung 90 degrees to the side via a mechanical gear drive, so that the waterway is completely cleared. Today, the delicate bridge made of dark iron and wooden planks is fully functional and integrated into the network of paths and stands as a protected monument under the care of the Bavarian Palace Administration. For walkers, it is a popular, quiet crossing away from the main paths, from which one can observe the leisurely activity on the canals. Although the swing mechanism is hardly moved in normal everyday use for the public, the old mechanics are still used today for special maintenance work by the garden staff or for historical demonstrations.

It's a challenge for young and old alike not to be misled. 😁

It's wonderful how many colorful flowers sprout up here.

The swing bridge is always a beautiful subject for photographs, no matter the season.

The little village in Schönbusch Park, like some other buildings here, is just window dressing.

Around the beer garden there is a lovely children's playground and also the famous maze. A high plateau offers a view.