The bridge can be vertically raised to allow cargo ships to access the inner city, and lowered to allow cars, trains and pedestrians to cross.

The bridge is named after the Schwanenturm (meaning 'watch tower) that protected the city walls in the 13th and 14th centuries.

[1] The transportation industry moved out of the city, meaning the bridge no longer needs to be raised.

Workers began a two-stage reconstruction project for the bridge on April 9, 2018.

These lanterns shine green to signal ships that they may pass underneath the bridge.