Europe Explored » boats

Magdeburg Water Bridge in Germany – the longest navigable aqueduct in the world (918m)

Claire — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 22:29:42 +0000

Magdeburg Water Bridge (Wasserstrassenkreuz Magdeburg) is really unique bridge – it is the longest navigable aqueduct in the world. Its structure is crossing over the Elbe River in Hohenwarthe near the city of Magdeburg, Germany. As one of the few in the world it was not designed for vehicle traffic, but for the ships! This is indeed, as the name predicts, the water bridge or channel.

Magdeburg Water Bridge was opened in 2003 and connects Berlin’s inland harbour network with the ports along the Rhine river. The bridge also allows the traffic of larger ships. This unique bridge is able to support even the heaviest boats and also to withstand the winter ice.

Its length is 918m, depth 4.25m and width is up to 34 m. The construction took €500 milion and used 24,000 tonnes of steel and 68,000 cubic meters of concrete.

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The rock carvings in Tanum, Sweden

Claire — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 16:41:57 +0000

Rock paintings (petroglyphs) is a unique work of art located in Tanum, Sweden, near the borders with Norway. It is the largest flat rock of Nordic Bronze Age petroglyphs in Scandinavia. The paintings are found on several stone blocks. They have a rich and diverse themes. Showing people, animals, weapons, boats and other objects. There is a large number of them. Petroglyphs are in excellent quality and shows the life and faith of people living in the Bronze Age. The paintings were discovered recently (in 1972 by Age Nilsen) and it is expected that the other are still waiting to be discovered.

The area around Tanumshede has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1994.

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Danube-Auen National Park in Austria

Claire — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 14:37:21 +0000

The Danube-Auen National Park or Nationalpark Donau-Auen in German covers 93km2 and it is situated between the European capitals Vienna and Bratislava and is one of the largest remaining floodplains of the Danube in Central Europe.

Danube is still free flowing here and is the lifeline of the National Park. It creates a habitat for a number of animals and plants, some of which are rare species. Accompanied on guided walking tours or on boats, visitors have ample opportunity to get to know the fascinating world of the “Donau-Auen”, the Danube wetlands.

Donau-Auen National Park was established in 1996 and in 1977 the Lobau region was declared a preserved area by the Austrian government, as well as by UNESCO.

It is good alternate at your visit to Wienna.

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Barlangfürdő – Aquaworld in the cave in Miskolc-Tapolca, Hungary

Claire — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 21:14:39 +0000

Barlangfürdő is the aquapark in the cave located in Miskolc-Tapolca in the regional centre of north-eastern Hungary. It is well-known for its therapeutic effects since the 16th century and a unique experience to swim, splash, play and walk around in a large cave system, which has water temperatures from 20-36°C with thermal water, and has warm, wet air inside even in the winter. The caves are around 150 meters long but naturally nothing is straight, and it’s all quite dark. The bath also has pools outside the cave. The Cave Bath is surrounded by a large park which has an artificial lake where you can row boats.

The basic adult price is 2500 HUF (approx. 9 Eur in 2010)

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Lake Bled – the symbol of Slovenia

Claire — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 21:45:34 +0000

Bled is quite a small town (6000 inhabitants), situated about five hundred meters above the sea level, nestled in the magnificent alpine nature. It is well-known thanks to Bled lake with crystal clear water. In the middle of the lake there is a Bled Island with the church on it accessible only by a boat.

At the far shore of the lake you can also visit a majestic Bled Castle.

Bled lake, Slovenia by Mirci

Lake Bled

Lake Bled is considered a symbol of Slovenia. We can find it at the eastern edge of the Julian Alps. Bled is not just a tourist center, but it’s also a spa center with a promenade. There are lots of opportunities for hiking, biking, horseback riding, renting a boat or visiting the thermal pool at nearby hotel Adriatic.

The town dates back to the Habsburg Era, to the early 19th century. The first spa hotel was built here in 1858 by a Swiss doctor Arnold Rikli in relation to its specialization in “Natural Healing”. This first hotel had certainly an important effect on the further tourism developing in this village. Bled is a climatic spa resort with thousands of visitors annually. The local “procedures” include fresh air walking, sport and hiking.

Bled Castle, Slovenia by Sebastian Bergmann

Bled Castle (Blejski Grad)

The castle is situated right on the 140 m high cliff above the Bled lake. In this Baroque castle you can visit a museum focusing on history and culture of the town and surroundings. Its archaeological part shows the history of the region. The castle is open all year round and the basic admission is €8. Further information about Bled Castle you can find on a very nice website here.

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