peace museum - bridge at remagen

A joint venture containing interesting material from both the Allied forces and German forces who were involved in the defence and capture of the Remagen Bridge.

Museum was closed when we visited in February. From a previous internet check I was aware that the museum was normally open March to November, but I wanted to see the bridge remains. Only the tower supports on either side remain. The museum and numerous plaques with information about the history of the bridge and it's capture by the allies, are on the towers located on the Western side of the Rhine. I don't know how much info is on the Eastern side. Definitely worth a visit if you are anywhere in the area, especially if you are a history buff. Also, it was a quite scenic drive along that stretch of the Rhine. Great photo op to get a fully-loaded barge plying the middle of the river with the bridge towers in the background.

We had a private tour of the museum as it was closed to the public and what a fantastic tour guide we had. Unfortunately I did not note his name but his enthusiasm for the museum was incredible, as was his knowledge. Many people will be familiar with the general story of how the bridge was destroyed, but our guide brought in so many other bits of information that it was like a whole new story to me. For example, I did not know that after Hitler ordered the destruction of the bridge, which failed, he had all the officers in charge of the job executed because he believed they were conspiring against the NAZIs. Hitler then ordered the V2 missiles aimed at London to be redirected to the location of the bridge as he was desperate for it to be destroyed, thus slowing the allied advance. However, Hitler knew that the V2s were not accurate, so by ordering them to be aimed at the bridge, he knew there would likely be many missiles landing amongst the civilian population living in the area. Our guide's description of Hitler's callous decision to willingly sacrifice the lives of so many innocent German families caused us all to become quite emotional. The museum also tells of the significance of NOT having a bridge at Remagen from the perspective of protecting the then West German government in its nuclear bunker in the Pfalz to the west of Remagen (not having a bridge meant any Soviet invasion would be hampered on its progress westwards). Also I enjoyed the display on the number of armed conflicts and wars since the end of the second world war and remember with some shame that virtually every conflict has produced some profit for the arms dealers of Britain, France, Russia and the USA. The memorial to the 28 US service men (many of German descent by the surnames) who died on the bridge when it did finally, unexpectedly, collapse was also quite moving.

This museum is a must when you are in Remagen. It has a very good history of the events surrounding the Bridge at Remagen during its construction and eventual destruction.Situated in the towers supporting the West side of the original bridge.

We opted for visiting just the remains of the bridge itself rather than paying to go into the museum. Like another reviewer has said, if you have done your homework on the internet, you will have read about the significance of the bridge and its place in history. How much more does one need?Visually, it is stunning. It must have been some bridge!

Just standing there and looking at what is left of the one bridge the Allies captured intact over the Rhine is more than enough. The large, lava-stone structures are impressive and one can even see bullet-holes and the like. The museum, however, isn't really worth seeing. There is nothing there that one can't find on the Internet without having to pay the high admission price. Just drive to the ruins of the bridge and enjoy the scenery.

Interesting to a degree. The history is a very important record but its not easy to make an entire museum out of a single event relating to the ultimate demolitionof a bridge.

Highlights the s### that can happen without democracy.Cleverly incorporated within the bridge ramparts, this excellent site immediately absorbs the viewer into the dark, dark days of 1918 through to 1945. .

Built into the abutments of the Ludendorff Bridge. A bit dated in its approach, but well worth a visit to appreciate the ironies of war (Bridge built 1916-18 to convey munitions, completed after the war, bringing the German army back after the armistice, as well as the 1945 story.Unsuitable for the mobility-impaired

That's what General Eisenhower said about the Bridge at Remagen, which American troops were able to use to their advantage (frustratingHitler, he executed the generals who failed to destroy the bridge.) The train to Remagen is on the line between Koblenz and Koln. From the train station, a scenic 20 to 30 minute walk along the Rhine. Or taxi and save your strength for the exhibits that you will climb to see in various parts of the tower. Admission 3.5 euros and get the map of Remagen so you can find the other worthwhile sites in town. Excellent English labels for the photos and artifacts that tell the story, detail by detail. As always, a WWII site must straddle the points of view between the Allies and the Germans. The opposing side, this museum points out, were 'people like us' and you see the implements fashioned from US ration cans by German POWs. Also pictures of women and children fleeing to the woods every day, returning at night, because the bridge was such a popular bomb target. The top floor walls are covered with plaques telling all the other wars and their dates. In other words, WWII was horrible, but there were plenty of other wars. Included are the Bay of Pigs, US vs Panama, and US vs Iraq and many are without an end date. Notice the dated high water marks on the outside walls. After the americans successfully crossed the bridge, it did collapse and has never The thoughtfully curated Silver Cliff Museum is a history treat for both families and history buffs. In this turn of the century firehouse, admire the rare hook and ladder wagon (decals of dragons!) and the trophies for the firemen who raced with it. Explore the secrets of silver mining in a town that once bustled with fortune seekers. Imagine ranch living with tools of the trade-- saddles, branding irons, all authentic. Upstairs, in the former town hall, see a real bank counter, the old post office boxes, paraphernalia of the barbershop and Chinese laundry (yes, run by an emigre from China). On the domestic front, sweet dolls and dresses, cradles and stoves, even an organ. My grandchildren's favorite --artifacts from the grocery store. Usually open on weekends but often available by telephone appointment during the week. This is a wild west treasure not to be missed. Donations encouraged. You could 'do this' in less than in an hour but even my 7 year old wanted to stay longer. rebuilt. Cross the river here by ferry, twice daily.

The fairness of showing both the American and German sufferings. The museum is in two towers overlooking the Rhine and is very emotive as you can see the tunnel the other side of the Rhine where villagers hid during the bombardment

Only really knew about the Bridge & it's history from the 1966 American film !! So glad we went to see the real thing and learn it's REAL story !it's a very moving museum (a lot of stairs if people have problem's climbing) But well worth a visit don't believe everything Hollywood tell's you !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Interesting and moving displays, really brought home the history through the contemporary photos and other displays

Didn't know much about the bridge before we came but it was a place to remember.Full of pictures and memerabella of what happened there in the war.It is a bit awkward with all the steps but well worth the visit.

I brought my mother to see the Bridge at Remagin because she is 84 years old, and lives in a retirement community near an army base. Many of her fellow "inmates" (as I sarcastically refer to the residents) have an interest in military history, and so, I, probably naively, imagine that her visit will give her some conversational fodder. Moreover, this is my second visit to the bridge and I find it moving.Compulsion causes me to segue to a politically incorrect topic for a moment. We arrived at the Remagin Hauptbahnhof in the rain, so I thought we ought to take a cab over to the bridge, rather than walk. The first driver that I asked if he was willing to drive us the very short distance over to the bridge did not know what I was talking about--he needed the "address." That driver was a Turkish immigrant. I simply cannot understand how you can live in a community and know absolutely nothing about it. So I simply told the first driver never mind and watched for a German driver who I was confident would be familiar with the Bridge at Remagin. (By the way, for American readers, Germans pronounce the word "Remagin" with a hard "G" as in "again" as opposed to the soft "G" in gin.)