Jirásek Bridge Prague
Jirásek Bridge is a link between the New Town of Prague and Smíchov and was built between 1929 and 1933 according to the design of V. Hofman and the project of F. Mencl. It consists of 6 arched fields with a span of 44.8 - 51 m and a reinforced concrete structure. The bridgeheads widen funnel-shaped at both ends, while in Nové Město it is up to 70 meters. The bridge is 310.60 meters long and 21 meters wide.
Information for visitors
Interesting facts Jirásek Bridge Prague
All six bridge piers are lined with granite blocks, have lighting candelabra and concrete railings. Seamless pipes are built into the masonry of the bridge, which is undoubtedly one of the biggest attractions of the Jirásek Bridge. In the event of a state of war, these pipes were to be used to place a charge in place, ensuring the destruction of the bridge. Because the Germans feared that the Czech patriots might blow up the bridge, they had the pipes concreted.
The bridge was not only to serve transport, but also carried pipes for drinking and utility water, steam pipelines, gas pipelines, electric and telephone cables.
The bridge was named after Alois Jirásek, a famous Czech writer. Between 1940 and 1945, however, it was renamed Dienzenhofer's by the Germans.
At present, the Jirásek Bridge in Prague serves both car traffic and pedestrians. Between the Palacký and Jirásek bridges, there is a dock of the Prague Shipping Company, from where steamers regularly depart.
Originally, the bridge was to be laid further north and was to be approached from Myslíkova Street, and in Smíchov the bridge was to start at Dětský ostrov, where work had even begun. The bridge began construction in the spring of 1929.
There are nice views of Prague from Jirásek Bridge. To the south is the aforementioned steamship dock and to the north are two historic water towers and other sights of old Prague.
Author: Andrea Štyndlová