St. Mary Magdalene Church and the Penitents' Bridge

St. Mary Magdalene Church is a Gothic brick church just east of Wroclaw's Market Square, and its main draw for visitors is the Penitents' Bridge, an open-air footbridge that joins the two towers near the top, roughly 45 metres above the street. People come to climb the towers for a wide view over the Market Square and the Old Town, and to see one of the oldest churches in the city up close.

The bridge, known locally as the Witches' Bridge, is a narrow walkway strung between the church's two towers about 45 metres above ground. Reaching it means climbing roughly 247 stairs up a tower staircase, so it suits visitors who do not mind a steady spiral ascent and some exposure at the top. From the walkway you look out over the red rooftops of the Old Town and down onto the Market Square. A local legend attaches to the crossing: vain women were said to be condemned to sweep the bridge for eternity, which is how it earned its name.

Building work on the church began in the 13th century, around 1226 to 1232, which places it among the oldest churches in Wroclaw. Its most prized feature is a 12th-century Romanesque portal, carved earlier than the church itself and moved here from a Benedictine abbey. The result is a Gothic brick building carrying an older Romanesque doorway, a combination that rewards a slow look before you head up the tower. Together the twin towers and the bridge give the church its distinctive outline on the city skyline.

The church is a good stop for anyone who likes viewpoints, medieval architecture, or the story behind a place. The climb is the main activity, so it works best for visitors comfortable on stairs; those who would rather stay at ground level can still admire the exterior and the Romanesque portal. Opening times and any charge for the tower ascent can change with the season, so check the church's official channels before you go rather than relying on a fixed schedule.

Because the church sits just east of the Market Square, it pairs easily with a walk around the Old Town centre and the surrounding streets. Many visitors climb the tower early in a day of sightseeing to get their bearings over the city before exploring at ground level. For ideas on what else to combine it with, see our Wroclaw guide. The short distance from the square means you lose little time in reaching it.