Branko's Bridge, Belgrade

Branko's Bridge in Belgrade spans the Sava River and connects the city center with New Belgrade. It is the second-largest bridge in Belgrade, after the Gazela Bridge. The current bridge was constructed in 1956, utilizing the foundations of the 1934 King Alexander Bridge, which was destroyed during World War II. This reconstruction re-established a vital link between Belgrade and Zemun, being the only motorway bridge at the time.

Originally named the King Alexander Bridge, the predecessor of Branko's Bridge was a chain-stayed structure opened on December 16, 1934. This bridge was demolished in 1941 during the war. The new bridge, built in 1956, retained the lower parts of the original pylons, which were decorated by Ivan Meštrović in Serbo-Byzantine style. These pylons now serve as constraints for the bridge's two secondary spans.

Branko's Bridge is a continuous steel box girder bridge, measuring 450 meters (1,480 feet) in length. It features a central span of 261 meters (856 feet) and side spans of 81 meters (266 feet) each. The bridge has a dual carriageway with three lanes in each direction, consisting of two separate constructions completed in 1956 and 1979, respectively.

The name Branko's Bridge is commonly associated with Branko Radičević, a Serbian romanticist poet. An urban myth suggests the name also relates to Branko Ćopić, a writer who committed suicide by jumping from the bridge in 1984.

Branko's Bridge is not only a crucial infrastructural element in Belgrade but also a structure rich in historical and cultural significance. Its evolution from the King Alexander Bridge, through various phases of naming and reconstruction, reflects the turbulent history and the enduring resilience of the city.