Czech Bridge

"The Svatopluk Čech Bridge, completed in 1908, is a notable structure in Prague that spans the Vltava River, connecting the districts of Holešovice and the Old Town. At 169 meters long and 16 meters wide, it is one of the city's shorter bridges. The bridge's construction began in 1905, featuring stone pillars and iron arches. Originally, its roadway was made of jarrah wood from Australia, which was replaced in 1961 for safety reasons due to slipperiness in the rain. Designed by architects Jan Koula and Jiří Soukup, the bridge is adorned with Art Nouveau sculptures created by artists Klusáček, Wurzel, Popp, and Amort. These include four prominent statues on 17.5-meter-high pylons. Named after Czech writer Svatopluk Čech, who died around the time of its completion, the bridge was briefly renamed Mendel Bridge during the Nazi occupation of Czechoslovakia (1940–1945). Over the years, the bridge has undergone several reconstructions, including major work between 1971 and 1975, as well as smaller repairs in the 1950s and early 2000s. The sculptures were also restored in the 1980s. As the only Art Nouveau bridge in the Czech Republic, it holds the distinction of being a state-protected cultural monument and continues to serve pedestrians, cars, and tramways today."