page_title: Krämerbrücke
section_title: The Krämerbrücke today
hierarchical_section_title: Krämerbrücke / The Krämerbrücke today
caption_attribution_description: Deutsch: Erfurter Krämerbrücke vom Turm der Ägidienkirche
context_page_description: The Krämerbrücke is a medieval arch bridge in the city of Erfurt, in Thuringia in central Germany, which is lined with half timbered shops and houses on both sides of a cobblestone street. It is one of the few remaining bridges in the world that have inhabited buildings. It has been continuously inhabited for over 500 years, longer than any other bridge in Europe. The stone, pedestrian bridge, which dates from 1325, is one of the oldest secular structures in Erfurt. It spans the Breitstrom, a branch of Gera River, and connects two town squares - Benediktsplatz and Wenigemarkt.
context_section_description: The bridge is still an important thoroughfare for local residents, as well as being one of Erfurt's main tourist sites. It is still in much the same use as it has been for over 500 years.
  About 80 people live on the Krämerbrücke. The shops at street level house businesses such as artisans' workshops, specialist food outlets, antique shops, wine merchants, art galleries, cafes, etc. A bakery operates at the western end of the bridge. The upper levels of the buildings are mainly inhabited homes. Except for the buildings numbered 15, 20, 24 and 33, all the other buildings on the bridge are municipal property. 
  In medieval times buildings were not numbered and many people were illiterate, so house signs were sometimes hung on buildings or placed over doorways, so that the house and its occupants could be easily located. Examples of these can still be seen on the bridge, as well as original doors which may be hundreds of years old.
  The Stiftung Krämerbrücke (Krämerbrücke Foundation) was founded in 1996 by the city council. It is responsible for maintaining the bridge and promoting its history. The foundation strictly controls what type of businesses can operate from the bridge to ensure that it remains in keeping with its historical roots. In the “Haus der Stiftung” (Krämerbrücke 31), there is a permanent exhibition about the history of the bridge. The information centre also provides information on the organisations that ensure that the bridge is properly looked after; these are: 
  Stiftung Krämerbrücke (Krämerbrücke Foundation)
  Deutsche Stiftung Denkmalschutz (German Foundation for Monument Protection)
  Elisabeth and Fritz Thayssen Stiftung Hamburg
caption: Krämerbrücke viewed from St. Ägidien's tower
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