The Świętokrzyski Bridge – A Modern Icon on the Vistula river

Warsaw’s First Cable-Stayed Bridge

Opened in 2000, the Świętokrzyski Bridge was the first cable-stayed bridge ever built in Warsaw. It’s supported by a single 87.5-meter pylon and 48 cables, giving it that photogenic, airy silhouette you’ve probably seen on postcards or in… news intros.

Including its viaduct, it stretches 479 meters, divided into seven spans. One pylon leg houses a maintenance lift, the other a maintenance staircase.

It carries two car lanes in each direction and has wide pedestrian and cycling paths on both sides, making it a favorite spot during any walking tour along the Vistula river. It’s also a low-water bridge, designed by a Finnish team led by Pekka Pulkkinen (fun fact: in 2007 Formula 1 driver Heikki Kovalainen raced across it in a promotional event).

Replacing the Temporary Syrena Bridge

The Świętokrzyski Bridge replaced the makeshift military-built Syrena Bridge, originally constructed for the renovation of the Poniatowski Bridge and later used to support the overhaul of the Śląsko-Dąbrowski Bridge. After the creation of the Wisłostrada tunnel, the new bridge gained more of a local character and it became the least congested bridge in Warsaw, with traffic nearly ten times lower than on the Grota Roweckiego Bridge (data from 2021).

Building a Landmark

Despite the some political tensions and rumours, the bridge itself was completed on schedule. The two supports on the left bank were constructed on artificial islands. The structure was slid in from both riverbanks and finally concreted above the Vistula’s current. Locals watched with fascination as the pylon grew higher and higher. The heavy cables were installed with a device nicknamed “the banana” (because of its shape), and once tensioned, the bridge deck lifted about 40 centimeters. During load testing, it bent 19.5 cm, within the acceptable norm of just over 20 cm.

Professor Jan Kmita, who supervised the tests, summed it up perfectly: “Everyone would like to live as long as the Świętokrzyski Bridge. Without major renovation, it should last over a hundred years.”

Why Travelers Should Care

For anyone exploring the city with a Warsaw guide, this bridge is more than just infrastructure – it’s a testament to the city’s bold transformation after the 1990s. It’s a gorgeous spot for photography, sunrises, sunsets, and long riverside walks along the Vistula river.

If your heart beats a little faster at the sight of elegant engineering, or you simply want a beautiful viewpoint during your stay in Warsaw, the Świętokrzyski Bridge won’t disappoint.