Serbia set to demolish ‘German’ bridge amid outrage

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A World War II-era bridge built by the Nazis was officially closed in the Serbian capital Belgrade on Saturday ahead of its demolition amid public outrage, citing history and concerns about the movement.

Nicknamed the “German Bridge”, the Old Sava Bridge was built in 1942 by the Nazi forces occupying Serbia. The bridge is just one of four crossings over the Sava River used by traffic in the capital’s busy central district.

The demolition of the bridge touches on multiple fault lines in the Balkan country, where World War II issues continue to be both political and emotional flashpoints.

Belgrade also remains one of the few major European cities without an underground public transport system, raising new questions about why the bridge is being closed before a new overpass takes its place.

A few days before its closure, hundreds protested against the demolition.

“We will introduce a transport collapse,” said George Miketic, one of the organizers of the protest.

On Saturday, the bridge was closed to traffic, the equipment was in place, and the city traffic police reported that preparations for dismantling had begun.

Belgrade Mayor Aleksandar Šapić, who is believed to have played a major role in closing the bridge, said a new “Serbian” bridge would replace the old structure.

According to historical sources, the Sava Bridge is one of the few river crossings that was not destroyed during the hasty retreat of the Nazis from southeastern Europe in the last year of the war.

As the Nazis retreated from Belgrade on October 20, 1944 with explosives and arson, local teacher Miladin Zaric intervened to cut the cables and save the bridge, according to widely circulated historical accounts in Serbia.

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