Butchers Bridge

The Butchers' Bridge (Slovene: Mesarski most) is a footbridge spanning the river Ljubljanica in Ljubljana, connecting the Ljubljana Central Market and the Petkovškovo nabrežje. It was officially opened on 10 July 2010. The concept for a bridge at this location dates back to the 1930s when architect Jože Plečnik proposed a covered bridge as part of the Ljubljana Central Market. However, due to World War II, construction never began, leaving an empty site in the market until the 1990s.

In the 2009-2010 period, under Mayor Zoran Janković, a new bridge was constructed at a cost of €2.9 million. Designed by Jurij Kobe from Atelier Arhitekti, the modern bridge features a staircase entry, glass walkways, and two fences with steel wires and shelves. It is adorned with sculptures by Jakov Brdar, including Adam and Eve (symbolizing knowledge), Satyr, Prometheus (representing punishment for sharing fire), and smaller grotesques like frogs and shellfish.

The bridge spans 33 meters in length and 17.3 meters in width, functioning as a square on water, similar to Plečnik's envisioned bridges but more simplistic. After its opening, padlocks were attached by couples as symbols of eternal love, mirroring the tradition of the Parisian Pont des Arts.

The bridge serves both as a functional crossing and a cultural landmark, reflecting historical and artistic influences while becoming a modern symbol of love and connection in Ljubljana.