Písek Stone Bridge
Encyclopedia
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west and northwest....
and one of two oldest bridges in Central Europe
Central Europe
Central Europe or alternatively Middle Europe is a region of the European continent lying between the variously defined areas of Eastern and Western Europe...
, located in south Bohemian city of Písek
Písek
Písek is a town in the South Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic. It has a population of 29 909 .-About:Písek is usually called "The Athens of the South", although Athens is much more southerly, because it has many high schools and schools of higher education, e.g. the Film School in Písek...
. Was probably built in the 3rd quarter of the 13th century.
It is sometimes called Stag Bridge because, according to legend, it was to be named after the first being to pass over it. At the time, town Písek was surrounded by deep woods, so the first being to cross the bridge was a stag
STAG
STAG: A Test of Love is a reality TV show hosted by Tommy Habeeb. Each episode profiles an engaged couple a week or two before their wedding. The cameras then follow the groom on his bachelor party...
. However, most local people calls it Old Bridge (starý most).
It spans the Otava River
Otava River
The Otava is a river in South Bohemia, Czech Republic. It is long and is a left tributary of the Vltava. The river flows through several towns, including Písek, Sušice and Strakonice. The river's name is of Celtic origin. It is a popular river for water sports. The local dialect of Prachens also...
, a tributary of the Vltava River. This bridge is in the gothic style with baroque statues and a cross. The length of the bridge is 109.75 m and the width 6.25 m. It is built on six pillars and has seven arches.
Floods of 2002
2002 European floods
In August 2002 a 100-year flood caused by over a week of continuous heavy rains ravaged Europe, killing dozens, dispossessing thousands, and causing damage of billions of euros in the Czech Republic, Austria, Germany, Slovakia, Poland, Hungary, Romania and Croatia....
. The flood water removed railings and some statues. After the flood, Písek started with the general reconstruction. The railings and statues were repaired; copy of one statue which was lost was created. The bridge is now supported by a net of concrete and iron tubes.