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Origin and history

The Timbach Bridge is a pink sandstone work built in the 3rd quarter of the 18th century, specifically in 1772, as indicated by the date engraved on its western parapet. It crossed the Lièpvrette river and was built to facilitate access to the coal mines discovered in 1768 in the Hury mountain. Its sober architecture, with three arches in basket handle and a donkey back apron, reflects a utility design adapted to the industrial needs of the time. The beaked batteries and sandstone parapets, decorated with tasker marks (letter C and embossed motifs), bear witness to local craftsmanship.

The reception of the work, attested to in 1777, marked the conclusion of a project related to the emerging mining in the region. This bridge played a key role in the transportation of coal, a strategic resource for the economic development of Sainte-Croix-aux-Mines. Inscribed to historical monuments by decree of 23 December 2002, it is now owned by the municipality and constitutes an emblematic vestige of Alsatian industrial history.

Located on Rue de la Timbach, this monument illustrates the adaptation of infrastructures to the economic challenges of the eighteenth century. Its pink sandstone, typical of the Vosges, and its robust structure make it a remarkable example of pre-industrial civil engineering. The mention of the date 1772 and the task marks also offer valuable clues on the methods of construction and the craftsmen who participated in its realization.

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