Most obrotowy w Giżycku, Steel rotating bridge in Giżycko, Poland
Drehbrücke Giżycko is a steel rotating bridge that spans the Giżycko Canal, linking Lake Kisajno and Lake Niegocin together. A bridge keeper operates the structure manually to allow watercraft passage through this narrow waterway.
The structure was built in 1889 by engineers from the Bechelt company and replaced an earlier bridge that failed in 1859 under excessive load. This reconstruction reflected the technical modernization that took place across the region during the late 1800s.
The bridge connects the fortress area with the town center, showing how locals and visitors experience the canal as a vital waterway. It stands as a tangible reminder of the engineering traditions that shaped this region.
The bridge is regularly operated each summer to allow boats to pass, with the rotation taking about five minutes to complete. Visitors should expect brief waits if watercraft need to pass through during the navigation season.
This structure ranks among the few manually operated rotating bridges in all of Europe, showcasing an unusual engineering solution from that era. A hand-crank mechanism allows a single person to rotate the entire structure and permit ships to pass through.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
