Information
Landmark: Snake AlleyCity: Burlington
Country: USA Iowa
Continent: North America
Snake Alley, Burlington, USA Iowa, North America
Overview
In Burlington, Iowa, Snake Alley stands out as one of the city’s quirkiest sights, often dubbed the “crookedest street in the world.” It winds steeply downhill, its narrow brick path curling through abrupt turns that feel like a serpent sliding along the hillside.Whether you’re on foot or behind the wheel, you catch the gentle scrape of tires over brick, the irregular beat of shoes on worn pavement, and the alley curling back on itself like a ribbon.In 1894, three German immigrants-architect Charles Starker and masons William Steyh and George Kriechbaum-built Snake Alley to link Burlington’s bustling downtown with the houses perched high on Heritage Hill, its bricks curving sharply up the slope.Drawing on the vineyard paths of France and Germany, the builders stacked locally quarried limestone and handmade bricks in a careful pattern, so a horse’s hooves could grip as it climbed and eased down the steep slope.Over the years, the road stopped being useful and started drawing curious visitors, until one day it was officially marked as a historic site.The alley runs 275 feet, dropping 58 feet as it snakes through five half-curves and two tight quarter-turns, the concrete cool underfoot.The bricks are set tight and at a slight angle, giving your feet a sure grip and a faint rasp as you walk across them.From the top, visitors often stop to take in the alley’s sharp, zigzag drop, with weathered houses, black iron railings, and trees whose leaves rustle softly in the breeze framing the view.Walking down Snake Alley feels like a careful dance, each curve revealing something new-a flash of brick underfoot, the scent of blooming ivy.Some bricks are worn smooth, but they still give the walkway a faint crunch under your shoes.In spring and summer, flowerbeds and gardens along the edge burst with color, and by autumn, the alley glows beneath blankets of crisp, golden leaves.Photographers hang back to frame the sweeping curves from every angle, while drivers lean into the wheel, feeling the tires grip through each tight turn.Each year, Snake Alley turns into a lively backdrop for community gatherings, the highlight being the Snake Alley Criterium-a grueling bike race where riders grind their way up its tight, brick-laid curves.Festivals and walking tours bring Burlington’s history to life here, turning the alley from a passing curiosity into a lively piece of the city’s culture, where music drifts through the air and footsteps echo off old brick walls.Snake Alley mixes European flair with Midwestern grit, creating a winding, brick-paved landmark that’s as historic as it is full of charm.It’s a place where ornate arches meet old-town tales and a dash of playful charm, leaving you feeling like you’ve just wandered a street you’ll never find anywhere else.
