Ada Bridge is one of the most stunning structures in Belgrade. Exploring the city on foot is the best way to truly experience its beauty. If you enjoy long walks, crossing Ada Bridge offers a unique opportunity to admire its architectural brilliance up close while taking in breathtaking views of Belgrade and the Sava River.
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About Ada Bridge
Ada Bridge connects the Municipality of Čukarica with Novi Beograd, stretching 964 meters in length. Constructed between 2008 and its official opening in 2012, it was the largest bridge project in Europe at the time, involving hundreds of workers, including many international experts. The project was not only grand in scale but also presented numerous engineering challenges due to the unique environment. Today, the bridge is a vital component of Belgrade’s traffic infrastructure and stands as one of the city’s iconic and beautiful symbols.
Ada Bridge Construction Challenges
Ada Bridge is a cable-stayed bridge unlike any other. The Discovery Channel’s show “Build It Bigger” produced an excellent documentary about its construction, highlighting how Ada Bridge is a unique solution to a distinct set of challenges. The design, shape, height, and form are all tailored to this specific location, taking into account the geology, traffic patterns, and wind conditions. Nearly every component of the bridge is a prototype, including the cables. To create just one of the 80 cables, workers filled a protective plastic sleeve with 64 individual strands of high-tension steel.
Ada Bridge is supported by a single pylon, which is uniquely positioned off-center. This asymmetrical design is due to the bridge’s geography, with the pylon located on Ada Island. To achieve this balance, the main, longer span is constructed from lightweight steel, while the shorter, back span is made from dense, heavy concrete—effectively twice as heavy because it is half as long. Despite its asymmetrical appearance, the bridge is perfectly balanced.
Unique Design with Unobstructed Panoramic Views
In addition to overcoming the complex challenges of constructing a safe asymmetrical bridge, the ambitious engineers aimed to offer the best panoramic experience of Belgrade for both drivers and pedestrians. To avoid obstructing views, they placed the stay cables in the center of the bridge rather than on the sides. While this design choice provides unimpeded views of the city, it also makes it much more challenging to construct a stable bridge.
The central feature of Ada Bridge is its stunning 200-meter-tall pylon, which impressively balances 30,000 tons. To accommodate trains running through the tower, engineers designed it in the shape of a cone— 1.5 meters wide at the top, widening to 16 meters at the base.
How to Cross Ada Bridge on Foot
To experience this architectural masterpiece up close and enjoy a unique perspective of Belgrade, you can cross Ada Bridge on foot or rent a bicycle at Ada Ciganlija and ride across. Note that the pedestrian and bicycle lane is located on one side of the bridge, on the left when facing Novi Beograd.
Your starting point will be the sidewalk across from Ada Mall, beginning your journey from Čukarica to Novi Beograd, although traveling in the opposite direction is equally possible. Walk or cycle on the sidewalk towards the bridge with Radnička Street on your right. As you approach the bridge, take the upper, right lane, as the lower, left lane leads towards the city center via Galerija Shopping Mall, which is also a pleasant walking route. The right lane will guide you onto the bridge.
Now, you have about 1 kilometer to reach Novi Beograd. During this peaceful walk, you will find the pedestrian lane generally uncrowded, with only a few people crossing the bridge on foot, except for slightly busier weekends.
Enjoy stunning views of the Belgrade cityscape on your right, including Belgrade Tower, St. Sava Temple, and the Genex Tower. The brutalist-style skyscrapers and West 65 Tower will welcome you to Novi Beograd.
On your left, take in the serene views of Ada Ciganlija and the Sava River, dotted with numerous water houses and rafts. This journey offers a perfect blend of urban and natural beauty, making it a memorable experience.
When you finish crossing the bridge, you will enter a major street that leads to the Belville neighborhood and Delta City shopping mall, which will be on your right after about a 15-minute walk. Here, you can celebrate your feat by sitting down to relax, enjoying a drink, or having lunch in one of many restaurants and fast foods.
Is It Safe to Cross Ada Bridge on Foot?
In terms of traffic, crossing Ada Bridge is safe, as there is a dedicated path for pedestrians, separated from the fast and heavy car traffic by a concrete fence. However, please note that the pedestrian lane is only on one side of the bridge. I emphasize this because I’ve seen pedestrians and cyclists on the other side, risking getting hit by a car.
Crossing Ada Bridge on foot is generally safe as Belgrade is considered a safe city. However, you should always be cautious, especially if you are a woman alone. As a woman myself, I have crossed the bridge many times without any problems, but it can feel a bit intimidating as you may often find yourself alone on the bridge or encounter only one or two other people. It goes without saying that you should avoid crossing the bridge at night!
For added safety, consider going with a friend or crossing on weekends when the weather is nice, as you’ll find more families and cyclists on the bridge during these times.
Ensure you stay well-hydrated, especially in the summer, and wear a cap and sunglasses for added protection from the sun and possible wind.
Ada Bridge Name
As the bridge’s completion neared, the government invited citizens to choose its name by popular vote. The name “Ada Bridge,” already used colloquially since the bridge is near Ada Ciganlija, was officially selected. Over 13,000 name suggestions were submitted. “Most na Adi” (Ada Bridge) received 3,341 votes, followed by “Harfa” (Harp) with 1,038 votes, “Patrijarh Pavle” with 813 votes, “Dr. Zoran Đinđić” with 611 votes, “Novak Đoković” with 541 votes, and “Žirafa” (Giraffe) with 382 votes. Some of the more unusual suggestions included names like Amy Winehouse and Britney Spears.
Conclusion
Crossing Ada Bridge on foot or by bicycle is a stunning way to explore Belgrade and enjoy wonderful views of this Balkan metropolis. Although the route is not long or dangerous, it offers a mild sense of adventure. Most locals have not crossed the bridge this way, making it an ideal path for tourists who enjoy venturing off the beaten path and seeking unique experiences.
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