Gdański Bridge
a bridge in Warsaw, build between 1957-1959
The history of the Gdański Bridge dates back to the communist times. Before it was constructed, at the same location at the end of Słonimskiego and Starzyńskiego streets, there originally was another crossing, called the bridge at the Citadel.
The bridge at the Citadel was used between 1875-1944, mainly as a railway crossing. Its name came from the Warsaw Citadel located nearby – a Russian fortress, used for holding political prisoners. The crossing served as an important element of the passenger transport hub, enabling eastbound and westbound trains to cross the Vistula River. The bridge was also used by pedestrians and automobiles – which was thanks to its two-level, truss construction (trains used the first, higher level while the lower level was intended for other modes of transport).
In 1944 the bridge was blown up by the Germans withdrawing from Warsaw. The remaining pillars were haunting the residents for a dozen years after the war, although already in 1946 the part of the bridge used for railway crossing (cargo and passenger) was rebuilt, which today is called due to its characteristic form, the bridge with the pipe.
The part intended for automobiles and trams, which actually forms a second, separate bridge was opened only in 1959. Its form with the lattice structure draws on the old bridge at the Citadel. Moreover, like its predecessor, it has two levels - the higher one for automobile traffic and the lower for trams.
In the nineties, the Gdański Bridge underwent renovation – it was repainted and lit up. Traffic on the bridge is not particularly intense, placing fifth or sixth in the Warsaw's bridge traffic rankings.
Do you know?
- The railway bridge (the pipe) holds Warsaw's central heating main.
- Due to its unique architectural form - two-level, trusses and spiral staircase – Gdański Bridge is a popular location for wedding photo shoots.
- In 2014 a distinctive neon sign Miło Cię widzieć (Nice to see you) was hung, which is clearly visible from the banks of the Vistula River.
