The Green Bridge

Sigismund I the Old in 1529 issued a privilege to Albertas Goštautas, Voivode of Vilnius, allowing him to construct a bridge over the Neris river. According to the sources, the bridge was built from bricks, and the top of it, small merchant stores once stood. For the construction of the bridge, Albertas Goštautas was allowed to collect fees for crossing this bridge. However, the bridge construction had its flaws, and in a few years, the bridge had collapsed.

In 1536 a new privilege was granted for the construction of a new bridge. According to the sources, the newly built bridge was a brick one. It stood until 1610 when great fire engulfed the bridge in great flames.

In 1631 yet another bridge was completed only to be destroyed in 1655 by the Lithuanian troops fleeing the Muscovite assault. It was rebuilt in 1673 but soon collapsed once more. A bridge built in 1684 survived until 1700 when the stream of a swollen river tore it down. The story repeated itself in 1761 when Neris wrecked the mainframe of the bridge. This time the city’s authorities rebuilt it and painted it green. It has maintained its Green Bridge name ever since.

Learn more about the ambitious and scandalous bridge construction of 1673 by clicking this link.