Svatopluk Cech Bridge
Encyclopedia
Svatopluk Čech Bridge or Čech Bridge (Most Svatopluka Čecha or Čechův most in Czech) is a arch bridge
over river Vltava
(Moldau) in Prague
, Czech Republic
.
Construction of the bridge started in 1905 and finished in 1908. Its length is 169 meters (one of the shortest in Prague) and width is 16 meters.
The bridge connects the Prague districts Holešovice
and the Old Town
(Staré Město). Construction materials are stone (pillars) and iron (arches). Up to 1961 the roadway was made of wood - a hard specie named Jarrah from Australia. The roadway got very slippery during rains.
Bridge architects were Jan Koula and Jiří Soukup. Art Nouveau
style sculptures (including four put on 17.5 meters high pylons) were created by sculptors Klusáček, Wurzel, Popp and Amort.
The bridge was named after recently died Czech writer Svatopluk Čech
(1846-1908); its opening became feat of Czech nation. During occupation of Czech lands
by Nazis name of the bridge was changed (1940-45) to Mendel Bridge (Mendelův most), after Gregor Mendel
(of German ethnicity).
During 1971-75 Svatopluk Čech Bridge went through major reconstruction, during 1953-56 and 2000-01 through smaller reconstructions, during 1984-87 the sculptures were repaired.
As the only Art Nouveau style bridge in the Czech Republic it is protected by state (chráněná technická památka). It is used by tramways, cars and pedestrians.
Arch bridge
An arch bridge is a bridge with abutments at each end shaped as a curved arch. Arch bridges work by transferring the weight of the bridge and its loads partially into a horizontal thrust restrained by the abutments at either side...
over river Vltava
Vltava
The Vltava is the longest river in the Czech Republic, running north from its source in Šumava through Český Krumlov, České Budějovice, and Prague, merging with the Elbe at Mělník...
(Moldau) in Prague
Prague
Prague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. Situated in the north-west of the country on the Vltava river, the city is home to about 1.3 million people, while its metropolitan area is estimated to have a population of over 2.3 million...
, Czech Republic
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....
.
Construction of the bridge started in 1905 and finished in 1908. Its length is 169 meters (one of the shortest in Prague) and width is 16 meters.
The bridge connects the Prague districts Holešovice
Holešovice
Holešovice is a suburb in the north of Prague situated on a meander of the river Vltava, which makes up the main part of the district Prague 7...
and the Old Town
Old Town, Prague
Old Town is a medieval settlement of Prague, Czech Republic. It was separated from the outside by a semi-circular moat and wall, connected to the Vltava at both of its ends. The moat is now covered up by the streets Revolučni, na Příkopě, and Národni—which remain the official boundary of the...
(Staré Město). Construction materials are stone (pillars) and iron (arches). Up to 1961 the roadway was made of wood - a hard specie named Jarrah from Australia. The roadway got very slippery during rains.
Bridge architects were Jan Koula and Jiří Soukup. Art Nouveau
Art Nouveau
Art Nouveau is an international philosophy and style of art, architecture and applied art—especially the decorative arts—that were most popular during 1890–1910. The name "Art Nouveau" is French for "new art"...
style sculptures (including four put on 17.5 meters high pylons) were created by sculptors Klusáček, Wurzel, Popp and Amort.
The bridge was named after recently died Czech writer Svatopluk Čech
Svatopluk Cech
Svatopluk Čech was a Czech writer, journalist and poet.Čech studied at gymnasium in Prague, then studied law, and later worked in the journals Květy, Lumír and Světozor.His first poem, Husita na Baltu, was published in the almanac Ruch in 1868...
(1846-1908); its opening became feat of Czech nation. During occupation of Czech lands
Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia
The Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia was the majority ethnic-Czech protectorate which Nazi Germany established in the central parts of Bohemia, Moravia and Czech Silesia in what is today the Czech Republic...
by Nazis name of the bridge was changed (1940-45) to Mendel Bridge (Mendelův most), after Gregor Mendel
Gregor Mendel
Gregor Johann Mendel was an Austrian scientist and Augustinian friar who gained posthumous fame as the founder of the new science of genetics. Mendel demonstrated that the inheritance of certain traits in pea plants follows particular patterns, now referred to as the laws of Mendelian inheritance...
(of German ethnicity).
During 1971-75 Svatopluk Čech Bridge went through major reconstruction, during 1953-56 and 2000-01 through smaller reconstructions, during 1984-87 the sculptures were repaired.
As the only Art Nouveau style bridge in the Czech Republic it is protected by state (chráněná technická památka). It is used by tramways, cars and pedestrians.