Djurdjevic Tara Bridge

What is this place

The Đurđevića Tara Bridge is a reinforced-concrete arch road bridge over the Tara River in northern Montenegro. It was designed by engineer Mijat Trojanović, and opened to traffic at the end of 1940.

Key features

• Reinforced-concrete arch structure – at completion it was considered the largest road arch bridge in Europe.
• Design and construction: 1937–1940 – a classic of pre-war engineering in the Durmitor region.
• Estimated cost 11.5 million dinars, increased by about 1 million more – showing the project’s scale for the time.
• WWII role – a strategic site; episodes from that period inspired the film The Bridge (1969).
• Post-war repair in 1946 and a film career – location for the British action movie 1978 Force 10 from Navarone.

What to see

• The five-arch silhouette spanning the Tara canyon and views of the rock walls.
• Pedestrian walkways on the bridge and small viewpoints by the verges.
• The Tara riverbed and forested slopes of Durmitor National Park.

History

Construction began in 1937: the project was by engineer Mijat Trojanović. Works finished in autumn 1940, the bridge opened to traffic by year’s end; formal load testing and the inauguration were planned for spring 1941.

During the Second World War the bridge came under occupation forces and played a notable role in the fighting. After the war the structure was repaired in 1946. The bridge’s story and image feature in the film The Bridge (1969), and in 1978 it was a filming location for Force 10 from Navarone.

Practical information

Location: northern Montenegro, Tara River canyon, near the settlement of Đurđevića Tara.

Getting there: mountain roads from Žabljak or from Plužine/Pljevlja; drive right up to the bridge, then walk along the sidewalk.

Access: open at all times; pedestrian access along the bridge—observe road safety.

Visiting hours: daytime for panoramas; in winter expect snow/ice.

Visit duration: 30–60 minutes for views and photos.

Best time: morning or golden hour for soft light on the arches and canyon.

Notes: limited parking lay-bys; keep behind railings and do not step into the carriageway.