Austrian bridge and postcrossing

This is again one of my most favourite covers - my first from Austria - from a good friend of mine now - Thanks Tom ! 

I had asked Tom for a cover with Postcrossing stamp, but I never expected he would send me a cover with the Europa 2018 bridges stamp of Austria - Schemerl bridge of Vienna with the first day cancellation postmark , and also the postcrossing stamp. And his covers always come neat !!

The Schemerl Bridge - 

This bridge provides a crossing for vehicular traffic, while at the same time also functioning as part of the Nussdorfer Wehr, a dam and lock system for the Danube Canal. To accommodate this unique combination of functions, the bridge has three truss lines. The middle truss line is positioned closer to the southern truss, allowing for a wider space between trusses on the northern side of the bridge. The northern side of the bridge is the deck for vehicular traffic. The narrower southern side of the bridge contains machinery related to the dam and weir system. 

This bridge has significant ornamental details, the most obvious of these being the bronze lion statues created by the noted artist Rudolf Weyr. Also noteworthy was the engineer for the bridge, the famous Otto Wagner who was responsible for much of the infrastructure in Vienna. 

Wartime damage in 1945 was repaired in 1953-1955. Another major repair took place in 1978. The bridge is in excellent condition today, with not a single spot of rust or deterioration visible on the trusses as of 2017.

The First Day cancellation shows the majestic Lion on the bridge . Date of issue - 9 May

Pic - Schemerl Bridge - Vienna 

The postcrossing stamp - The stamp was designed by Robert Sabolovic and depicts a stylised “wall of postcards”, with the word POSTCROSSING in front of it, painted in the Austrian flag colours. 

Date of issue - May 2016 

The Austrian flag has three horizontal bands of red, white and red . It was adopted in 1918. 

The third stamps - shows the Bergkirshe / Haydn church in Eisenstadt ( the capital of Burgenland state in Austria ) . The pilgrim church "Visitation" was built between 1715 and 1803 according to plans drawn up by Prince Paul I. Esterházy. Unfortunately, the prince did not live to see the groundbreaking ceremony as he died from the plague in 1713. The famous musician Haydn’s mortal remains are here. 

Definitive stamp - 2015 - impressions of Austria series