Technical monuments

Gothic Bridge in Kłodzko

St John’s Gothic Bridge in Kłodzko is a medieval stone crossing over the Młynówka, a branch of the Nysa Kłodzka. It links Piasek Island with the historic part of the town and is one of Kłodzko’s most recognisable landmarks. Its massive structure, stone parapets and Baroque sculptures make it much more than a simple crossing.

A medieval crossing

The exact construction date is uncertain. Official municipal information places the bridge somewhere between 1281 and 1390, on the site of an earlier wooden crossing; its present form is associated with the end of the 14th century. The bridge was strengthened and rebuilt several times over the centuries. It is about 53 metres long and 6 metres wide, and the route offers views of part of the former town walls.

Sculptures along the parapets

The bridge’s main decoration is a group of statues added between the 17th and 18th centuries. They include St Wenceslas, St John of Nepomuk, St Francis Xavier, the Crucifixion, the Holy Trinity and the Coronation of the Virgin Mary. The combination of a medieval crossing and later Baroque sculpture is why the bridge is often compared with Charles Bridge in Prague and called Kłodzko’s miniature version.

A stop on a town walk

The bridge stands in the centre and works best as part of a walk through the Old Town, between Piasek Island, the market square and other landmarks. Cross it slowly, look closely at the statues and notice the Młynówka and the old defensive walls. It is a compact attraction, but it shows how medieval infrastructure remains part of everyday urban space.