A new pedestrian bridge in the Croatian coastal town of Trogir has officially opened – with its unique look already attracting a lot of attention.

“We know how much this bridge was needed by our residents, especially those who live and work in the historic core. I believe it will be a source of satisfaction for everyone, meeting both functional and aesthetic needs,” Trogir mayor Ante Bilić said.

The impressive bridge cost just over one million euros (£848,000) plus VAT, including the construction of foundations, which were in a much worse condition than anticipated. 

The bridge is made of a steel structure weighing a staggering 65 tonnes. Its maximum width is 10.40 metres, with a height of just over four metres. The span measures 25 metres, while the total length comes in at 30 metres. 

But it is the apparent giant hole in the middle of the structure that has amassed the most attention – an addition that has split opinions. 

A public architectural competition for the bridge’s design attracted as many as 26 submissions, with the winning design coming from the studio Prostorne Taktike.

“We aimed to merge functionality with aesthetics. The competition required that the bridge not only serve a utilitarian purpose but also offer spaces for socialising and lingering,” explained designer Luka Cvitan, Croatia Weekly reported.

“On one side, we installed a cluster of chairs for seating, and on the other, a hammock-like net for lounging. The net itself can support up to 80 tonnes.”

Reactions about Trogir’s new addition have been mixed so far. Some comments include that the bridge does not fit into the style of the architecture of the town and is too modern, whilst other locals have been impressed and applauded the work of the town. 

“An elderly resident told me she finds the bridge very pleasant to cross. We adhered to the highest professional standards, from the architectural competition to public procurement, and despite all the pressure, we didn’t want to open the bridge without securing a usage permit, which we obtained in a record time of about 10 days,” explained Bilić. 

The first to “test” the new bridge were children from Trogir’s Vrabac kindergarten, who were unexpectedly surprised by Saint Nicholas. Soon after, other residents and passers-by began crossing it as well.

The town of Trogir is located on the central Adriatic coast and lies on a small island connected to the mainland and the island of Čiovo by bridges. It is a preserved old town, known for its mix of Renaissance, baroque and Romanesque buildings. 

The 13th-century Cathedral of St Lawrence houses the Renaissance Chapel of St John and offers sweeping views from its bell tower. Parts of the medieval town walls remain intact.

In 2023, Trogir welcomed 20,733 tourist arrivals, with just over 54,000 overnight visitors. This was a nearly 61 percent increase compared to the previous year. Still, this is nothing compared to the 1.2 million overnight tourist arrivals to Dubrovnik in 2023, according to Statista.