Szent-Iványi Bridge

Őrhalom, Hungary, Hungary

---

The Szent-Iványi Bridge is a modern road bridge spanning the Ipoly River between Őrhalom in Hungary and Vrbovka (Ipolyvarbó) in Slovakia.

Opened in December 2023, it restored a direct cross-border connection that had been lost since the original bridge was destroyed during World War II. Named after Ferenc Szentiványi, a historical Hungarian nobleman and judge buried in Ipolyvarbó, the bridge serves as an important link between local communities on both sides of the border.

It was built as part of a broader program to reconnect settlements along the Ipoly River and encourage regional cooperation. The bridge carries road traffic, cyclists, and pedestrians, significantly reducing travel time between the two villages. Before its construction, residents had to make a lengthy detour of more than 20 kilometers to cross the border.

Today, the Szent-Iványi Bridge stands as both a practical transportation route and a symbol of renewed connections between Hungary and Slovakia, supporting local travel, tourism, and cross-border cooperation.