The 'Pont Adolphe 1903' exhibition ran from 7 July 2016 to 3 September 2017.
Built according to plans by French engineer Paul SÉJOURNÉ using only local stone, the 'Grand Pont' straddles the Pétrusse valley at a height of 45 m. Its twin parallel central arches have a span of 84.65 m. A true feat of engineering in its day, for several years it was the largest arch bridge in the world. Very quickly, Luxembourgers would call it the 'Nei Bréck' (the new bridge), and it was only when it was commissioned on 24 July 1903 that, by Grand-Ducal Decree, it was given the name 'Pont Adolphe' in honour of the sovereign. Now iconic in the City of Luxembourg and a favourite postcard image, Pont Adolphe recently underwent renovation work and reopened in 2017.
Originally, the bridge carried the local railway line to Echternach, allowing the city's expansion towards the railway station quarter via the Plateau Bourbon.
Using original and previously unseen plans and documents, historical photos and an impressive 14-metre long multimedia animation, the exhibition recounted the story of the bridge, including the preparatory designs for the bridge, its complex, modern construction, its impact on urban development and the emergence of new modes of transport, such as the car, steam train and tram.
