Bridge of the Legions
The Bridge of the Legions ( Most Legií in Czech ) is a combined tram and tram bridge over the Vltava River in Prague . It connects the Národní třída via an island ( Střelecký ostrov ) leading with the Lesser Town . It has existed since 1901 and is named after the Czechoslovak legions .
history
After a second Vltava bridge next to Charles Bridge became more and more urgent in Prague , Adalbert Lanna began building a chain bridge based on a design by Friedrich Schnirch in 1839 . The 413-meter-long bridge, named after Emperor Franz I , was put into operation on November 6, 1841 and was considered a masterpiece of engineering. However, it soon became apparent that the load-bearing capacity of the bridge was too low. From 1857 on, particularly heavy wagons were again led over the old Charles Bridge for safety reasons. The horse-drawn tram lines ended on both sides of the bridge and passengers had to cross it on foot.
In 1898 the traffic on the bridge was stopped and diverted to a wooden temporary structure. According to the plans of the architect Antonín Balšánek , the construction of a new stone bridge began immediately, which was opened on June 14, 1901 by Emperor Franz Joseph . It was equipped with electric lighting by František Křižík . The granite bridge is 343 meters long and overcomes the Vltava in nine flat arches of different spans. At each end there are two small turrets that were used to collect the toll at the beginning .
Naming
The bridge was renamed several times in the 20th century. After the end of the monarchy and the establishment of Czechoslovakia in 1919, the Francis I Bridge ( most císaře Františka I ) was renamed the Bridge of the Legions. After two interruptions - from 1940 to 1945 it was called Smetana Bridge ( Smetanův most ), from 1960 to 1990 Bridge of May 1st ( most 1. máje ) - the bridge now bears this name again. Bridge of the Legions refers to the Czechoslovak legions in World War I.
literature
- Rudolf Kaplán, Antonín Balšánek: Nový kamenný most císaře Františka přes Vltavu v Praze (The new stone bridge Francis I over the Vltava in Prague). Prague 1901 available online (Czech)
Individual evidence
- ↑ Friedrich Schnirch SIK- VŠE (Czech)
Web links
Coordinates: 50 ° 4 ′ 52.6 " N , 14 ° 24 ′ 36.6" E