The forgotten Gotha: aqueduct before that - who takes care of?

The forgotten Gotha: aqueduct before that - who takes care of?

in Gotha is currently an interesting but problematic situation around the historical aqueduct that has been running water in the canal channel for 179 years. Significant from a technical point of view, however, the building is in a neglected state, and it seems as if nobody is responsible for preservation.

The aqueduct is more than just a bridge structure; It is a technical monument. But the municipal authorities do not seem to be priority. According to city council representatives, the building is considered "property of the people", which may also be the growing problems, such as the loss of cast iron bridge parts.

The irresponsibility of the worries

Dirk Bernkopf, a former train driver who was involved in the construction of the rail bypass in the 1990s, brings an interesting perspective. He admits that he would have had to point out the unexplained ownership and the negative consequences of the new construction project. His personal judgment could symbolically stand for greater irresponsibility that prevails in society when it comes to receiving monuments.

in 2025 Gotha will celebrate his 1250th anniversary. The aqueduct undoubtedly plays an important role on this occasion. Permanent water in a non-functioning channel could, however, provide the festival with a bitter aftertaste. The city is already planning measures to clarify the ownership issues and carry out the initial repairs before the Thuringian Easter walk leads a route along the aqueduct.

The question that arises now remains who will ultimately take responsibility for the preservation of this important building. Public property often also means a lack of responsibility, and the condition of the aqueduct is clear proof of this. It is important that before the celebrations begin, concrete measures are taken to replace the aqueduct to its original, functional condition.

The challenges are the order of the day. Promoting water art without water would indeed be like a shadow over the festivities in 2025. The city of Gotha and the responsible bodies must now act in order not only to preserve the inheritance, but also to celebrate properly. Otherwise, this piece of history, which has cost so much over the years, could lose its importance completely.

Dirk Bernkopf © Archive | Dirk Bernkopf