History of the site

The bridge in Krosno Odrzańskie has existed since the Middle Ages - the first mention of a wooden bridge dates back to around 1300. In the late 19th century, due to an intensified river and road transport, the earlier wooden lift bridge ceased to be functional enough. The new bridge was built in the years 1904-1905. A steel structure was made in the Fabrik für Brückenbau und Eisenkonstruktionen Beuchelt & Co., Grünberg in Schlesien. A small plaque placed on the first post of the truss of the western span, preserved to this day, notifies of this fact. The steel structure of the bridge, weighing 580 tons, is adorned on both sides with Brandenburg eagles and historicising lamps. In 1936 the structure of the bridge was reinforced and the roadway was widened. In 1945 the middle part of the bridge was partly damaged in warfare. It was rebuilt in 1948 in accordance with its original form. In 1953 it underwent modernisation, covering in particular the structural reinforcement. Wooden blocks of the roadway were coated with bituminous cover, replaced by asphalt in 1960.

Description of the site

The bridge stretches over the Odra river and forms a part of the Zielona Góra - Słubice road crossing the centre of Krosno Odrzańskie. It was designed as a vehicle and pedestrian bridge. The load-bearing structure of the bridge includes two three-span, riveted steel truss beams. The bridge rests on two bank pediments and two pillars embedded on the river bed. Both the pediments and pillars were made as a concrete structure and were clad in stone blocks. The length of the bridge amounts to approx. 164 m, the width of the roadway is 5.8 m and two stripes of pavement are 2.2 m wide. Openwork portals, bestowing on the bridge a monumental character, were placed at two pillars. The façades of the spans include a visible pattern of rivets with a decorative character in parts of truss nodes and portals of the middle span. Sumptuously decorated, historicising supports under lamp posts have survived, flanking the pediments on both sides of the bridge, and in the uppermost points of the upper strip of girders.

Visitor access. The structure is accessible.

Author of the note: compiled by Marta Kłaczkowska, Regional Branch of the National Institute of Cultural Heritage in Zielona Góra, 16-05-2017

Bibliography

• Record sheet, Most drogowy. Krosno Odrzańskie, compiled by Budych L., 1993, Archive of the Voivodeship Monuments Protection Office in Zielona Góra.
• Halicka B., Krosno Odrzańskie 1005-2005. Wspólne dziedzictwo kultury, Skórzyn 2005, p. 121-123.