Schwedenbrücke, Steel bridge across Danube Canal in Vienna, Austria

The Schwedenbrücke is a prestressed concrete bridge over the Danube Canal linking Innere Stadt and Leopoldstadt. Built in 1954–55 to plans by Fritz Leonhardt and Adolf Hoch, it is 78.8 m long and about 27 m wide, with spans of 12.2 + 55.4 + 12.2 m. Three haunched hollow box girders are tied together by cross beams.

A wooden Schlagbrücke, documented in 1368, stood here until 1782 as the city's only fixed crossing to the Unterer Werd. It was replaced in 1819 by the Ferdinandsbrücke, a wooden bridge with a stone central pier and two 30 m openings. Demolition began on 21 May 1909, and the steel arch bridge by Otto Wagner opened on 27 April 1911. Bombed in 1945, it was rebuilt provisionally and reopened on 2 May 1946.

The bridge took its name in 1919 to honor Swedish humanitarian assistance after World War I, particularly aid provided to Vienna's children during hardship. This name choice reflects how the city remembered international solidarity in times of need.

The bridge sits conveniently between Schwedenplatz and Leopoldstadt, making it easy to cross on foot, by bicycle, or in a vehicle. Heavy usage during peak hours means you will encounter crowds and traffic congestion, so plan your crossing accordingly.

The bridge's level gauge gave Vienna its own height reference, the Wiener Null: 4.00 m above gauge zero, or 156.68 m above the Adriatic. In August 2017 the Australian graffiti artist Lush Sux painted a pillar under the deck with Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un swapping hairstyles.