Südbrücke over de Rijn bij Mainz 1869 - 1872

This stereoscopic image of the Südbrücke over the Rhine at Mainz was created by Johann Friedrich Stiehm, most likely in the 1860s. The photograph depicts the monumental bridge entrance, resembling a medieval fortification, complete with towers and crenellations. In 19th-century Germany, such architectural fantasies served a distinct purpose. Following the Napoleonic Wars, a desire for national unity and a revival of German culture emerged. Architects and artists looked to the medieval past for inspiration, creating neo-Gothic and neo-Romanesque structures that evoked a sense of shared history and identity. The choice of a stereoscopic format – popular at the time – suggests an attempt to provide viewers with an immersive, almost tangible experience of German landmarks. Understanding such images requires us to explore the cultural and political context in which they were produced, including the history of German nationalism, the development of photography, and the role of architecture in shaping collective identity.