Bridges in Wrocław

The pride of Wrocław at the height of 122 metres

The Rędzin Bridge (Most Rędziński) is one of the most attractive sites in Wrocławw. It catches your eye from far away. It is the largest river crossing in Poland: - it is 1742-metres long (30 metres longer than the Solidarności Bridge (Most Solidarności) over the Vistula River in Plock) and the pylon on which it is suspended is 122-metres high (8 metres higher than the viewing terrace of the Palace of Culture and Science - Pałac Kultury i Nauki). The construction of the Rędzin Bridge took five years and was completed in August 2011; it costs PLN 576 million.

The chief construction engineer of the Rędzin Bridge is Jan Biliszczuk, a professor at the Wrocław University of Technology (Politechnika Wrocławska).

The pylon is H-shaped. The construction employs an original solution: the two multi-lane routes are attached separately to the arms of the pylon positioned on an isle in the Oder River.

New techniques were also employed during its constructions – subsequent sections of the bridge were "glued" to the parts which had been installed earlier: the bridge would reach forward from the bank over the water.

The Rędzin Bridge is part of the Wrocław Motorway Ring Road (Autostradowa Obwodnica Wrocławia).

Modernity from before 100 years ago

The Grunwald Bridge is the most famous bridge in Wrocław. It was constructed in years 1908-1910 according to a design by Richard Plüddemann, the then city planner in Wrocław.

During its construction new technology was employed – the span is attached with steel straps to 20-metre brick pylons standing at the river banks. The ceremonial opening of the Imperial Bridge, as it was named, was attended by the Wilhelm II, the Emperor of Germany then. After World War I it was named the Freedom Bridge, but after several years it was renamed the Imperial Bridge again.

In spring 1945 it suffered severe damage. When an airport was being built and tens of townhouses were demolished in the beleaguered Wrocław at the present Grunwald Square (Plac Grunwaldzki), the pylons were considered too high and hindrance for air plane take-off and landing. Therefore the crowning pinnacles were dismounted. Then the bridge was destroyed further and was not fit for use. Repairs took over two years. After World War II, the crossing was named Grunwald Bridge (Most Grunwaldzki).

The bridge is 112.5-metres long and 18-metres wide.

Bridges in Wrocław

According to data from before World War II, Wrocław had 303 bridges; today there are 100 bridges and 33 gangways. Unique on a Polish and European scale, the number of crossings is due to the location of the city. Wrocław is crossed by the rivers of Oder, Ślęza, Widawa, Bystrzyca, Dobra and a dozen or so streams. Depending on the water level there are up to 25 islands in the city boundaries.

Besides the Grunwald and Rędzin Bridges, the following bridges are also worthwhile to see: Zoo Bridge (Most Zwierzyniecki), Tumski Bridge (Most Tumski leading to Ostrów Tumski), Piaskowy Bridge (Most Piaskowy), Młyńskie Bridges (Mosty Młyńskie), Pokoju Bridge (Most Pokoju), Szczytnicki Bridge (Most Szczytnicki), Jagielońskie Bridges (Mosty Jagiellońskie), Warszawskie Bridges (Mosty Warszawskie), Pomorski Bridge (Most Pomorski) and Uniwersytecki Bridge (Most Uniwersytecki).

Bridges in Wrocław - tidbits

• 1742 metres – length of the Rędzin Bridge, the longest one in Poland
• 303 – number of bridges and gangways in the pre-war Breslau
• 122 metres – height of the Rędzin Bridge
• 25 – number of islands on which Wrocław lies in part
• 6 – number of rivers flowing through Wrocław

Janusz Krzeszowski Redaktor Naczelny portalu Wroclaw.pl