Đurđevića Tara Bridge

The Đurđevića Tara Bridge, located in northern Montenegro, is an impressive concrete arch structure spanning the Tara River. It was designed by engineer Mijat Trojanović and built between 1937 and 1940, at which time it was the largest vehicular arch bridge in Europe. Its total length is 365 meters, with the largest span measuring 116 meters. The bridge rises 172 meters above the river, making it one of the most spectacular structures in the region. After the Italian occupation in 1941, the bridge became a key strategic point. In 1942, it was destroyed by a Yugoslav partisan unit in an effort to halt the Italian offensive. The extreme circumstances of the World War II events at the bridge were immortalized in the 1969 film *The Bridge*. The damage was repaired in 1946, and the bridge has since become a site for various tourist activities, including bungee jumping over the river. The bridge was also featured in the Dutch novel *Het land achter Gods rug* by A. den Doolaard, which draws inspiration from the true story of the bridge and its destruction. The Đurđevića Tara Bridge not only serves as a transportation link but also plays a significant role in the culture and history of the region, symbolizing resistance and the struggle for freedom during times of conflict.