Stádlec Suspension Bridge, Chain bridge in Stádlec, Czech Republic
Stádlec Suspension Bridge is a 157-metre-long chain bridge over the Lužnice, its four chains arranged in two pairs and threaded through two stone pylons that form 13-metre-high gates. The 6-metre-wide deck of oak planks sits 5 metres above the water, with a mobile catwalk suspended beneath for minor repairs.
The bridge was originally built in 1848 at Podolsko and carefully taken apart in 1960 before being reassembled at its present location in 1975. This relocation saved the structure from being submerged by a water project.
The bridge's name changed with its site: listed in 1958 as the Podolský Bridge, it was registered in 1977 as a cultural monument at its new location. A 2008 gold 2,500 CZK coin by Luboš Charvát, and a 2018 CZK 35 stamp by Milan Bauer, both depict it.
Entry is limited to vehicles up to 1.5 tonnes, and posts at each end cap vehicle width at 2 m. A mobile catwalk hangs beneath the deck for minor repairs. The bridge carries road III/13711 between Stádlec and Dobřejice, and marked hiking routes meet at its approaches.
When the bridge was dismantled in 1960, it was cut into 2,000 stone blocks and 1,100 steel parts. After ten years in storage, 14 of the 102 tonnes of iron were damaged or missing and had to be recreated, and officials at one point considered shortening the span from 90 m to 60 m.
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