Witches' Bridge

The Witches' Bridge, also called the Penitents' Bridge, is a footbridge joining the two towers of St Mary Magdalene's Cathedral in Wrocław at the level of their top storey. Its existence was first mentioned in 1459, shortly after the completion of both towers.

A viewing point 45 metres up

The bridge runs at a height of 45 metres and from the start served as a viewing point. An orchestra also played on it, and the walkway itself was renovated several times, among others in 1632.

A fire and two rebuildings

On the night of 22 to 23 March 1887 the bridge burned down together with the towers during a fireworks display held for the birthday of Emperor Wilhelm I. It was rebuilt between 1888 and 1892. A second blow came on 17 May 1945, shortly after the end of the siege of Wrocław: an explosion, probably of a mine, destroyed the church's south tower, and its collapsing half took the Witches' Bridge down with it. This time the rebuilding took much longer and was completed only at the turn of the 20th and 21st centuries.

Origin of the name

The name refers to the legend of a Wrocław woman named Tekla, cursed by her father and carried off by dark powers, which placed her on the bridge between the towers of the church until a witch lifted the curse from her. Another version speaks of the souls of penitent travellers who died in the city, and yet another, a moralising one, of vain girls whose mothers would bring them at night under the towers, hoping that the sight of the penitent figures would teach them humility towards everyday life.

Practical information

• The bridge is located on the towers of St Mary Magdalene's Cathedral in Wrocław's Old Town, a few hundred metres from the Market Square
• It is an architectural element of the church, viewed mainly from outside and from street level
• Nearby it is worth combining a walk with a visit to the Wrocław Town Hall or crossing the Tumski Bridge