Barani Skok Footbridge

Barani Skok Footbridge, despite a name suggesting a pedestrian crossing, is a two-span road bridge over the River Oława in Wrocław. It lies along the road linking ulica Świątnicka with ulica Międzyrzecka, on the water catchment land between the Świątniki and Bierdzany estates.

A bridge closed to outsiders

The road running over the bridge is closed to pedestrian and vehicle traffic for a significant stretch, because it runs through water catchment land forming the main source of drinking water for Wrocław. The bridge itself and the approach to it are open only to technical staff and authorised persons.

Part of a weir

The bridge's structure also serves a technical function - it forms the base for the gates of a weir that keeps the water level on the catchment land at the right height in summer. The weir is fitted with a sluice with two gates, allowing flood water to be released, mainly during the early spring rise in water levels.

Practical information

• Location: the River Oława, between the Świątniki and Bierdzany estates, south-eastern Wrocław
• Not open to the public - the bridge and access road serve only the technical staff of the water catchment land
• What to expect: no possibility of crossing on foot or by vehicle, the structure can only be viewed from the permitted surrounding roads
• Nearby: Afrykarium and the Wrocław Zoological Garden