press release

Federal funding approved for renovation of historic swing bridge at Chocolate Museum

The urgently needed renovation of the historic swing bridge at Cologne's Rheinauhafen can begin: thanks to a federal funding commitment of around €3.3 million from the "KulturInvest 2024" program, one of the last remaining structures of its kind in Germany will be preserved. With the support of the City of Cologne and other partners, this important cultural monument will be restored and preserved for future generations.

Historic swing bridge at Rheinauhafen: renovation secured

The approximately 130-year-old, listed swing bridge at Cologne's Rheinauhafen connects the Rhine promenade in the old town with the peninsula, home to the Chocolate Museum, among other attractions. Built between 1894 and 1896, the structure made of riveted lattice girders is an outstanding testament to industrialization and is one of the last three remaining bridges of this type in Germany – comparable bridges can only be found in Deutz, Krefeld, and Lübeck.

With over 100 rotations per year, the 420-ton bridge allows ships to access the Rheinauhafen. At the same time, it serves thousands of pedestrians and cyclists every day as an important transport route to museums, offices, restaurants, and apartments in the harbor district. Numerous events such as the "Rund um Köln" cycling race, World Children's Day, the harbor Christmas market, and festivals such as "Hafensounds" and "Wein am Rhein" also make the bridge a central part of public life in Cologne.

During a structural inspection, over 120 significant areas of damage were identified. Comprehensive renovation is therefore unavoidable. The non-profit Imhoff Foundation, which owns 94% of the bridge, and the Chocolate Museum have worked closely with the City of Cologne, the Rhineland Regional Council, and the Office for the Preservation of Historical Monuments to develop a renovation concept. The cost of the work amounts to around €6.7 million, and the construction period is estimated at around 18 months. During the renovation, the bridge will be laid on land, and a temporary bridge will ensure access to the peninsula.

On September 25, 2024, federal funding of around €3.3 million was approved from the "KulturInvest 2024" program – approximately 50% of the costs. This was conditional on the participation of the City of Cologne, which will decide on its own contribution of €400,000 (around 6%) on June 27, 2024. The Imhoff Foundation must raise the remaining amount through its own funds and additional support.

The project managers would like to thank the City of Cologne, in particular Mayor Henriette Reker, the responsible deputy Andree Haack, and the parties in the city council for their unanimous support. Special thanks also go to SPD Member of Parliament Sanae Abdi, who provided significant support for the funding application, as well as to other Cologne Members of Parliament from various parties.

With the start of concrete planning, an important structure will not only be preserved, but also secured for future generations—as cultural heritage, a transport link, and a living part of Cologne's urban landscape.

Technical data of the Rheinauhafen swing bridge:

• Year of construction: 1894–1896
• Length/width: 46 m / 10 m
• Weight: approx. 420 tons
• Construction: riveted lattice girder bridge
• Rotations: over 100 times per year
• Status: nationally significant cultural monument

Contact for inquiries:
Schokoladenmuseum Köln GmbH
Klaus H. Schopen
Mobile: +49 176-640 210 30
Email: schopen@schokoladenmuseum.de