Czechia’s most interesting bridges

Stone Bridge in Písek: the oldest preserved bridge in Czechia

It lies on the Golden Trail, along which traders used to carry salt, wine, honey, precious spices and other products from Bavaria in Germany to Prague. It was built in the 13th century and is Czechia’s oldest preserved bridge. Adorned with beautiful baroque statues, it is literally breathtaking.

Fairytale Jurkovič Bridge in Nové Město nad Metují

This beautifully decorated bridge was built in the early 20th century based on a design by the renowned Slovak architect Dušan Jurkovič. He was also involved in the alterations to the local château. The bridge connects the terrace with the flower park. As with other buildings designed by Jurkovič, such as the popular Pustevny, the picturesque spa buildings in  Luhačovice and the lookout tower in Rožnov pod Radhoštěm, this bridge is reminiscent of the traditional folk architecture of the Wallachia region in East Bohemia.

Charles Bridge: the oldest bridge in Prague is an Instagram hit

Thirty Baroque statues, beautiful views of the historical centre of Prague, bridge towers and a wealth of legends: that’s Charles Bridge. Prague's oldest bridge was built by Emperor Charles IV, completed in 1402 and is one of the capital’s most beautiful sights. In 2022, Charles Bridge was a star on Instagram: it ranks 10th on the list of the world's most popular places with the most posts. According to reviews on the popular TripAdvisor website, it’s the sixth most beautiful heritage site in the world!

Sky Bridge 721: The Longest Suspension Footbridge in the World!

The world's unique footbridge that dethroned the one in Aruoca, Portugal, can be found in the Dolní Morava mountain resort, in the foothills of the Jeseníky Mountains in Czechia. It offers amazing views with a huge dose of adrenaline. Walk along the 721-metre-long footbridge at a height of 95 metres above the ground!

Negrelli’s Viaduct: the longest in Europe!

This unique architectural gem can be found in the very centre of Prague. It was Prague's very first railway bridge over the Vltava River. Another thing that makes it unique is its length, which at 1,100 m made it the longest railway bridge in Europe until the early 20th century.

  

Žďákov Bridge: a unique arch that won't be found anywhere else in Czechia

This bridge is located south of Prague, above the deep valley of the Vltava River. When it was built, it was the largest single-arch steel bridge in the world. Nowadays it is the eighth. Nearby is the beautiful Orlík Château, right next to a huge reservoir. You could spice up your visit with a romantic ride on a cruise ship. You can combine a visit to the bridge with a trip to Příbram and its Mining Museum, the historical town of Tábor or the city of Plzeň, famous around the world for its excellent Czech beer.

Rechle: the wooden rakes that comb the Vltava

The name comes from the German word for rake. Rather than crossing the Vltava, the bridge was used to hold and count wooden logs as they floated down the river to the nearby paper mills. You can see this unique wooden structure on a cruise down the Vltava, on one of the most beautiful stretches of the river. Nearby is Czechia’s largest reservoir, Lipno, and the Šumava National Park with the wealth of outdoor activities it offers.

Radošov Bridge: not a nail or screw in sight! 

It was built by Roman Emperor Charles IV, who also ordered all salt traders to use this bridge. During the Thirty Years' War it was allegedly demolished by the invading Swedes, and was later rebuilt with a new roof on stone pillars. The roof was built with no nails or screws, just wooden pins. The bridge is one of the attractions on the biking trail along the Ohře River.

Marian Bridge: a unique suspension bridge

This unique suspension bridge, the principal landmark of the North Bohemian town of Ústí nad Labem and one of the most state-of-the-art bridges in Czechia, was built in the 1990s. The building was declared one of the 10 most beautiful structures of the era. 

Railway viaduct in Smržovka

In the foothills of the Jizera Mountains in northern Bohemia you’ll find one of Czechia’s most beautiful railway viaducts, erected in the 19th century by Italian builders. This unique granite structure is situated in the Crystal Valley, world famous for its production of Czech glass.


 

Transporter bridge below Hamrštejn: haul yourself across to the other bank

One real rarity among Czech bridges and footbridges is the transporter bridge over the Lužická Nisa below Hamrštejn Castle near Liberec. You get to the other bank in a cabin suspended on pulleys, hauling on ropes to get yourself across. This is the only bridge like it in Czechia and apparently one of only two in Europe.
 

St. John's Bridge in Litovel: the oldest stone bridge in Moravia

The oldest stone bridge in Moravia and the third oldest in Czechia can be found not far from the historical centre of the region, the UNESCO-listed city of Olomouc. The bridge, adorned with a statue of St. John of Nepomuk, is situated in the beautiful countryside of Litovelské Pomoraví.
 

Baroque bridge in Náměšt nad Oslavou: a little Charles Bridge

This Baroque stone bridge tends to be called “the little Moravian Charles Bridge”. That’s because after Charles Bridge, it’s Czechia’s largest bridge with the most lavish sculpture work. The bridge is adorned with twenty statues, including sculptures of angels, supposedly there to protect the bridge. In terms of its lavish decor, there’s no other bridge in Moravia to match it. It used to form an important link between the beautiful towns of Třebíč and Brno.