Hendrix Bridge

The 300 meter-long Zeleni Most (Green Bridge) spans the River Sava in the Croatian capital. Most people in the country simply know the bridge as the ‘Hendrix bridge,’ ever since graffiti with the surname of the legendary rock guitarist Jimi Hendrix first appeared on the bridge in 1995.

Signify worked with the famous Croatian lighting designer, Dean Skira on the project. At night the bridge is bathed in an almost ethereal white light showing off its arch, spans and graceful design. However, as a train approaches, it is detected by a sensor and the white light fades to black causing the bridge to seemingly disappear. Then, as the first coach behind the locomotive crosses the bridge, colored lights come on in sync with the speed of the train crossing the bridge. Both the bridge and train are bathed in a moving ribbon of color worthy of a riff from the bridge’s namesake. As the train disappears the white light returns.

The revitalized railway bridge makes the surrounding area more attractive for locals and visitors. “The goal was to upgrade the visual identity of the City of Zagreb. It is part of our plan to enhance city life around the Sava river,” explained Ivan Babić, Head of the Infrastructural Services Department for the city. “The innovative LED lighting highlights the grandeur, color and the beauty of the bridge. It’s become a tourist attraction with people often stopping to take pictures in front of it.”

Lighting designer, Dean Skira, said, “Most bridges are utilitarian in appearance; few of them possess the architectural or structural ingredients required to be able to use light as a medium to enhance the beauty of the engineering. What we created with Signify was something very special.”

The client for the new illumination is the Council of the City of Zagreb. The luminaires were supplied and integrated by Signify partner company Lipapromet and the lighting installation publicly opened on June 1, 2017.