Palacký Bridge is the fifth Prague bridge across the Vltava, counting downstream. It is also the third oldest bridge and the third stone bridge in Prague, alongside Charles Bridge and Legion Bridge. The bridge also holds one first — caisson pier foundations were used in Prague for the first time during its construction.
Its construction was driven by the growing industrial district of Smíchov. Building started in 1876 and was completed two years later. The Neo-Renaissance design was prepared by Czech engineer Josef Reiter and architect Bedřich Münzberger. The bridge is 228 metres long and divided into 7 segmental arches. Granite blocks of various colours were used in its construction. Between 1950 and 1951 it was repaired and widened to nearly 14 metres.
At the end of the 19th century the bridge was decorated with 4 sculptural groups by J. V. Myslbek on themes from Czech mythology. The sculptures were damaged in air raids at the end of the war and after 1945 moved to Vyšehrad Park at Vyšehrad, where they can still be seen today. The bridge carried a double tram track and one-way single-lane car traffic. It was originally called the Smíchov Stone Bridge or Podskalí Bridge, but since 1878 it has borne the name Palacký Bridge after the 19th-century Czech historian, writer and politician František Palacký.
You can sail under the arches of Palacký Bridge on board our boats and steamboats.
