NETHERLANDS ~ Sint Servatius Bridge - Maastricht ~

... Beautiful bridge view with seven arches spanning 160 metres over the River Meuse... coming from my closest neighbouring country... while this ancient bridge was severely damaged and rebuilt during World War II, it is known as the oldest bridge in the Netherlands... a bridge only for pedestrians and bicycles.... Maastricht is the capital and largest city of Limburg located on both sides of the river Meuse... Heel Erg Bedankt Ben en Loes! (✿ ♥‿♥)  

The Romans first built a wooden bridge around AD 50 and the Latin phrase for "crossing of the Meuse (Maas)" became the name of the city. For many years the bridge provided the only crossing of the lower Meuse River. Unfortunately, this bridge collapsed during a procession in 1275. The collapse killed 400 people. 

Today, a pillar marks the location of the old Roman bridge. The current bridge was built between 1280 and 1298. It is located north of the original Roman bridge. The bridge was named in honor of Saint Servatius around this time Maastricht's first bishop,

 In 1850, a channel was cut on the bridge's west side. The bridge was renovated in the 1930s. The arches were reconstructed in concrete and then covered by the original stones. Two arches on the eastern side were removed, and a vertical-lift bridge was added. 

During World War II, German troops heavily damaged the bridge. As a result, St. Servatius Bridge was rebuilt in 1948. 

In 1962, the shipping channel to the east of the bridge was spanned by a steel drawbridge attached to the main bridge. 

Stamp:

Dutch Icons 

(Issued 02-01-2014)