Wrocław giving the bridge back to Germany? ‘Kaiserbrücke’ and the Hohenzollern crest return

The Wroclaw Grunwaldzki Bridge will be rebuilt and German symbols removed after the war will return to it.

The provincial monument conservator approved the restoration of the pre-war inscription “Kaiserbrücke” and the coat of arms of Hohenzollerns, a dynasty liable for the partition of Poland. The bridge, which is simply a symbol of Polish Wrocław for decades, is besides expected to change colour. It will be painted grey, just like in Prussian times.

“The plan is to recreate 2 decorative embankments with the imperial crown, the Hohenzollern coat of arms, as well as the decorative inscription ‘Kaiserbrücke’, meaning ‘the Imperial Bridge’. They will appear in precisely the places where they were in the first version," says Daniel Gibski, the provincial monument conservationist.

A symbolic return to the times erstwhile Wrocław was Breslau, and Poland did not be on the map, causes consternation. In the name of historical reconstruction, markings are restored, which over the years associated with German rule, germanization, and recovery. Moreover, these changes will not full reconstruct the condition before the war – the width of the sidewalks will stay the same as today, due to the fact that it is adapted to motor and tram traffic.

“Let us hope that in the end all inhabitants of Wrocław will be able to boast the Grunwald Bridge with first tones, reconstructed lanterns, surfaces, reliefs and many another details. An effort will besides be made to establish and reconstruct the first bridge colours,” says Daniel Gibski.

Instead of pride, however, many people feel ashamed. The renovation will include not only cosmetics – the replacement of the bridge plate, anti-corrosion protections, reinforcement of the structure up to 40 tons, replacement of pavements, balustrades, tracks and lighting are planned. Maintenance clearance has already been issued. Now another decision belongs to the city, which must synchronize the work with the renovation of the track on the Peace Bridge. The start of the work is not yet known, but it is known that the full is to be completed by 2030.

The Grunwald Bridge, formed in 1908–1910, was initially called the Imperial Bridge, later for a minute the Freedom Bridge. After the war, erstwhile Wrocław returned to Poland, the symbols of German regulation were removed from it. present they come back in the glory of "the protection of heritage", although for many inhabitants it is simply a bitter gag of history.

This is not an isolated case. At the University of Wrocław, there were equally scandalous events: in the main hall, the White Eagle disappeared, and his place was taken by the image of Frederick II, king of Prussia, liable for the first demolition of Poland.

"Aula Leopoldina of the University of Wrocław is not only the most beautiful hall of UWr, but a symbol of the past of Wrocław. For any time now the White Eagle has no longer hung on its walls, but there is simply a image of the king of Prussia Frederick II, who did not hang there in the original" – said Piotr Wojtułek, academic teacher, councillor of Lublin.

A journalist, Grzegorz Jankowski, besides took the level in the case, without covering the outrage.

“What a shame! The image of King Frederick II of Prussia hung at the University of Wrocław. It was the king who led to the First Partition of Poland," he pointed out. “And the Hohenzollern coat of arms returns to the Wroclaw Grunwald Bridge. Yes, those Hohenzollerns from the dismantling and sexualizing of their plundered lands... erstwhile again: a large shame!!!”

In the name of aesthetics and conservation reconstructions, the memory of the Polish past of the city is lost. Symbols that should remind you of a hard past return without reflection, in an atmosphere of political correctness. Wrocław, a city with Polish roots dating back to the Piasts, does not request imperial coats of arms or portraits of Prussian kings to cultivate its identity. She needs courage to remember her.