Pope John Paul II bridge, Border road bridge between Görlitz, Germany and Zgorzelec, Poland.
Pope John Paul II bridge is a road bridge spanning the Lusatian Nysa River between Görlitz and Zgorzelec, creating an international connection. It measures 380 meters in length and serves as the primary crossing between Germany and Poland.
The original structure built in 1875 was destroyed in 1945 during World War II and initially replaced by a temporary wooden bridge. The current concrete structure emerged from this post-war reconstruction effort.
The bridge received its current name in 2006 to honor Pope John Paul II, with commemorative plaques visible at both German and Polish entrances. This naming creates a shared symbol between the two nations, transforming the crossing into an act of mutual remembrance.
The bridge accommodates passenger cars, buses up to 7.5 tons, cyclists, and pedestrians year-round. Visitors should expect it as an active border crossing with possible delays during peak travel times.
The bridge runs along the 15th meridian east, marking a geographic reference line that divides continental zones. This makes the crossing a point where major geographic boundaries align in an unusual way.
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