Landmark
Witches' Bridge
Mostek Czarownic, also called Mostek Pokutnic: a bridge joining the two towers of the Church of St Mary Magdalene.
What it is
The bridge links the towers of the Church of St Mary Magdalene (Kościół św. Marii Magdaleny) on ulica Szewska. The church is Gothic, built in the 14th century. A bridge between the towers already existed by the turn of the 15th and 16th centuries. After the Second World War the Polish Catholic Church became the administrator of the church.
From the bridge you look out over Wrocław's Old Town. The bridge stands 45 metres up and is reached by 247 steps.
Fire, war and rebuilding
In 1887 fireworks set the north tower alight. In 1945 an explosion of stored ammunition destroyed the south tower. The bridge was lost in the war and was rebuilt only at the turn of the 20th and 21st centuries.
The name
Pokutnice are women doing penance. The tradition behind the name tells of girls who preferred amusement to marriage and housework and are said to sweep the bridge as punishment. Mothers pointed to it as a warning to their daughters. It is a tradition, not a documented event.
More places to see are listed on the landmarks page.