There are many bridges in Poland that have a historic nature. They include road, railway and foot bridges. For cultural, historic, aesthetic and economic reasons they have to be treated in a special way. This article describes measures undertaken on behalf of the protection of historic bridges. Unfortunately, they do not cover railway bridges. In cooperation with railway administration the authors have drawn a list of railway bridges that meet criteria set for historic objects worked out for road bridges. These works should be continued. The authors describe a technical condition of historic bridges on the example of typical urban, palace, rural road and railway objects. With regard to their carrying capacity and working abilities, the bridges are, on the whole, in a good condition. Still, their maintenance is unsatisfactory. The biggest harm in both technical and aesthetic respect is done by choked drainage and poor insulation of platforms. Many structures have been subjected to inconsiderate reconstructions that have changed their appearance and deprived them of their original style. The most common kinds of damages and their causes as well as technologies of removing them have been presented. These are not simple problems and the situation is also complicated by the fact that there are no specialized enterprises in Poland which would have necessary equipment and experienced craftsmen.
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