Písek Stone Bridge (Kamenný most v Písku)
Jihočeský kraj
Located in the picturesque South Bohemian town of Písek, the Písek Stone Bridge is a remarkable testament to medieval engineering. Spanning the Otava River, it is the oldest preserved early Gothic bridge in the country and one of the rarest of its kind in Central Europe. The bridge measures 109.75 meters in length and 6.25 meters in width, resting on six sturdy pillars with seven arches. Because of its design and sculptural adornments, it often draws comparisons to a smaller version of Prague's famous Charles Bridge. Originally built without sculptural decoration, its parapets are now lined with beautiful replicas of Baroque statues, adding to its historic charm. The bridge served as a crucial link on the historic Golden Trail, facilitating the transport of salt from Bavaria and connecting the Baltic regions with the Mediterranean. Today, it stands as a proud national cultural monument.
Planifiez votre voyage en Tchéquie avec l'IA
Créez un itinéraire détaillé en quelques minutes. L'IA suggère les meilleurs endroits, restaurants et un itinéraire optimisé.
Astuce: Take a leisurely stroll across the bridge to admire the Baroque statue replicas, and consider visiting the nearby Prácheň Museum to see the sandstone originals. Don't forget to look for the fragments of the original bridge towers, which are displayed on the left river bank.
Faits intéressants
- •The bridge was built entirely on dry land, and the river was only redirected to flow under it after the construction was complete.
- •During the restoration of the Christ Cross after Cyclone Kyrill in 2007, two time capsules were discovered containing historical documents from 1897 and 1957, including a period copy of the communist newspaper Rudé právo.
- •Despite the water current's force increasing fifty-fold during the 2002 'thousand-year flood', the core structure of the bridge miraculously survived.
- •The original sandstone Baroque statues that once decorated the bridge are now safely housed in the Prácheň Museum.
Histoire
The bridge was constructed during the third quarter of the 13th century under the reign of King Ottokar II of Bohemia.
Uniquely, it was built on dry ground before the Otava River was redirected into a new trough beneath its arches.
Originally guarded by two towers, the structure lost the first to a flood in 1768, and the second was deliberately demolished in 1825 to accommodate growing transportation needs.
In 1768, a seventh arch with a double span was added to allow for timber raft passage.
The bridge has withstood numerous severe floods, most notably the devastating 'thousand-year flood' of 2002, after which it was extensively restored thanks to a spontaneous public fundraiser.
Guide du lieu
Calvary Sculptural Group18th century
A striking sculptural group featuring a 6-meter high cross with Christ, surrounded by statues of the Virgin Mary, Mary Magdalene, and the Apostle John. The current statues are replicas installed in 1997.
Statue of John of Nepomuk with Two Angels
A beautiful Baroque sculptural group depicting the famous Czech saint, John of Nepomuk, accompanied by two angels and the coat of arms of Písek.
Statues of Saint Anne and Saint Anthony of Padua1770
Two distinct Baroque statues added to the bridge's decoration in the late 18th century, contributing to its resemblance to the Charles Bridge in Prague.
Bridge Tower Fragments13th century
The remnants of the two original towers that once guarded both ends of the bridge. One collapsed during a flood, and the other was dismantled for traffic reasons.