The bridge was initially built as a wooden bridge in 1874 and named after the Bavarian Wittelsbach dynasty. In 1904, the bridge was re-built out of concrete and steel.
The bridge is famous for its sculpture of Duke Otto I, added in 1904. The sculpture was designed by Theodor Fischer, who also designed ornaments on other Munich bridges such as the Prinzregeten.
Munich's homeless population frequently camp underneath the bridge. Police cleared a homeless camp from underneath the bridge in November 2018.
The bridge was featured in the Euro 2020 football tournament logo, representing the city of Munich.
