Railway bridge over Lake Pilchowickie

The railway bridge over Lake Pilchowickie, built between 1905 and 1906, is located in the Lower Silesian Voivodeship, near the village of Strzyżowiec. It is one of the highest bridges in Poland, standing 40 meters above the reservoir's bottom, with a total length of 151.68 meters and a riveted steel truss structure. The bridge was constructed as part of the Jelenia Góra–Żagań railway line, and its construction was linked to the opening of the Pilchowice Dam in 1912. The stone-concrete dam was designed for flood protection and energy production, and it quickly became a popular tourist attraction. The bridge was officially opened on November 16, 1912, in the presence of Emperor Wilhelm II. In 1945, German soldiers attempted to blow it up, but necessary repairs were quickly carried out, and railway traffic resumed in the postwar years. Since the end of 2016, the bridge has been out of service. Its appearances in films such as "Skąpani w ogniu" (Bathed in Fire) and "Kocham kino" (I Love Cinema), as well as in video games, have contributed to its promotion. In 2020, plans emerged to use the bridge in the film "Mission: Impossible 7," which sparked controversy and protests. In response to demolition plans, local organizations and experts began advocating for its protection and inclusion in the heritage register. As a result of these efforts, the bridge was officially listed as a historical monument on August 18, 2020, granting it temporary protection. It is worth noting that the bridge not only holds architectural value as an example of early 20th-century engineering but also serves as a significant element of local cultural heritage, connecting transportation history with the region's industrial architecture.