The Father Bernatek Footbridge links Kazimierz with Podgórze in the most pleasant way: on foot or by bike, in just a few minutes and with a view over the Vistula. It’s the perfect connector between Szeroka and Miodowa streets and the Podgórze Market, the Square of the Heroes of the Ghetto and the riverside boulevards.
Suspended from steel arches are figures of “people-acrobats” that give the bridge its character and look fantastic in golden-hour shots. This is one of the most photogenic stops on a walk through Kazimierz. (Note: the bridge opened in 2010 and quickly became a popular urban landmark.)
Friendly tip: the bridge works well as a short break in a longer walk that includes both neighbourhoods—quick, scenic and easy to add to any Kraków itinerary.
Opened to the public in 2010; it has two arches and separate pedestrian and cycle routes.
On the Kazimierz side you’re closest to Mostowa Street, Miodowa and Plac Wolnica; on the Podgórze side it’s a short walk to Rynek Podgórski and the Square of the Heroes of the Ghetto.
The balancing acrobat sculptures became a symbol of the bridge—plan shots that use their silhouettes against the sky.
Start: Plac Wolnica – walk Mostowa to the footbridge (5–7 min).
On the bridge – 10 minutes for photos of the acrobats, silhouettes and the Vistula panorama.
Return along the opposite bank – riverside boulevards on the Kazimierz side (15–20 min with photo stops).
Finish: light lunch or coffee around Miodowa.
Kazimierz: Plac Wolnica → Mostowa → the footbridge (10–12 min).
Podgórze: Rynek Podgórski, a short frame on St. Joseph’s Church and a descent to the Square of the Heroes of the Ghetto (25–30 min including photography).
Return along the boulevards on the Kazimierz side to Plac Nowy (25–30 min).
Close the loop at Szeroka or Miodowa (10–15 min).
Kazimierz: Plac Wolnica and Bożego Ciała Street—quieter architectural frames and easy access to Miodowa.
Podgórze: Rynek Podgórski with the St. Joseph’s Church—an impressive volume on the market’s axis; a little further is the Square of the Heroes of the Ghetto with its famous chairs installation.
Boulevards: shoot along the river—reflections, runners and cyclists add motion and scale to your frames.
Middle of the bridge – silhouettes against the acrobats; best 45–60 minutes before sunset.
Ramps on both sides – perspectives on the bridge arches and moving people; especially good shortly after rain when puddles create reflections.
Boulevards – leading lines and a Kazimierz panorama; in the evening you can catch neon reflections from Plac Nowy and Estery on your return.
Exercise “the city on both sides”: students take two photos each—one ‘Kazimierz in the frame’ and one ‘Podgórze in the frame’—and note three differences in how the spaces are used.
Sketch the route axis: draw the bridge and points A–B–C (Plac Wolnica, Rynek Podgórski, Square of the Heroes of the Ghetto). Then compare walking times.
Mini-report: 3 photos and 3 sentences—people, river, architecture. Use these to create a quick classroom bulletin.
The ‘bridge + ice cream’ loop: walk the bridge one way, pause for a 10-minute break on the square, return via the boulevards. Rhythm: 20–10–20 minutes.
Silhouette game: photograph each other against the acrobats; kids can set up the shots themselves—results beat ordinary selfies.
Pit-stop for water every 25 minutes—the bridge can be windy, so staying hydrated helps.
Best times: morning 8:30–10:30 for emptier frames, and golden hour for warm light. After dark the bridge also ‘performs’—steel arches and the river create excellent night shots.
What to avoid: hopping between distant points—arrange the walk as a loop (bridge → Podgórze → boulevards → Kazimierz) rather than backtracking on the same route.
How to get the most: plan three shots on the bridge—wide, medium, detail—and repeat them from the opposite bank. At home you can compare and build a mini visual story of the day.
Bonus for phone photographers 30–45: turn on HDR against the sky to preserve silhouettes and cloud texture.
Morning – an empty bridge and the boulevards toward Rynek Podgórski.
Midday – return to Kazimierz via Mostowa, light lunch on Miodowa.
Afternoon – a second loop: Square of the Heroes of the Ghetto and the boulevard panorama.
Evening – golden hour on the bridge and night shots with reflections in the Vistula.
Access: the bridge is open 24/7 and free to use; it accommodates both pedestrians and cyclists (keep an eye out for bikes).
Facilities nearby: cafés and small restaurants along Miodowa and around Plac Nowy; in Podgórze you’ll find cafés near Rynek Podgórski and casual lunch spots.
Safety: standard city-safety precautions apply—watch children near the railings and beware of fast cyclists. The bridge can be windy; bring a light jacket in cooler months.
Can I attach a padlock? Local practice of attaching “love locks” has been popular, but such additions are discouraged to protect the structure—please respect local rules and signage.
Best months for photos: late spring through early autumn for longer golden hours; winter offers crisp air and moody skies if you dress warmly.
Want to combine the bridge, Kazimierz and Podgórze into a coherent story without wandering? Book a guided visit with Małgorzata Kasprowicz from Zwiedzanie Krakowa to plan a tailor-made walk and photography tips—contact her to arrange a date today.
