The viaduct is one of Apolda's landmark buildings and contributed significantly to the town's economic boom in the 19th century.

The construction of the viaduct in the 19th century

The construction of the Thuringian railroad (1844-1846) also brought about decisive changes in the north of the town of Apolda. Over 2,000 workers were involved in the construction of the railroad line, which was single-tracked between Naumburg and Apolda and double-tracked from Apolda to Erfurt. A huge earth embankment was built between the station and Niederroßlaer Straße. A viaduct had to be built at the junction of the double-track railroad line with the Herressener Bach stream and today's Buttstädter Straße.

However, the conditions for the viaduct were very unfavorable, as there was no solid subsoil. The subsoil consisted mainly of quicksand and boggy layers. For this reason, the construction of a pile grid began on May 20, 1845. The pile grid (14,000 Taler) consists of 1,336 ash wood piles. In addition to the 2,000 workers, around 100 bricklayers and other assistants helped with the construction.

The viaduct was completed on December 2, 1846. The inauguration ceremony took place on December 16, 1846. The Weißenfels-Weimar line was opened to traffic on December 19.

Facts about the building

The viaduct is 95 m long and 23 m high (above the stream bed). It consists of two main arches in the middle section (0.78 m thick). The stream and a footpath run through the eastern opening and Buttstädter Straße runs through the western opening.

A lion's head was attached to the central pillar as a symbol. The 2 side wings each consist of 4 circular vaults arranged in 2 storeys. In 1926, iron anchors were inserted into the approach arches of the two side wings to reinforce the structure.

From 1846 to 1967, mainly steam locomotives and, from 1935, diesel locomotives crossed the viaduct. Electrification made construction work necessary on the viaduct as well as in the urban area. The first electric locomotives rolled over the viaduct on September 22, 1967. 

In 1977, the Apolda viaduct was added to the Apolda district's list of monuments.