Most T. G. Masaryka, bridge in Kralupy nad Vltavou
The T. G. Masaryk Bridge is a concrete arch bridge that crosses the Vltava River and connects different parts of Kralupy nad Vltavou with the Lobeček area on the opposite bank. The structure features three large arches where the central span extends about 80 meters across the river, while the two flanking arches are roughly 60 meters each, allowing ships to pass freely without obstruction from mid-river supports.
Built between 1926 and 1928, the bridge was a major infrastructure project for the town during the interwar period, representing progress and connection for the community. During World War II, German soldiers removed the stone reliefs and plaques, though these were reinstalled after the war, and the structure survived floods and storms throughout the decades due to its sturdy design.
The bridge is named after Tomáš Masaryk, the first president of Czechoslovakia, and his portrait is carved into a stone plaque visible at one end of the structure. It serves as a link between neighborhoods and has been woven into the daily rhythms of local life for nearly a century.
The bridge is open to pedestrians and vehicles, with sidewalks on both sides and a width of roughly 10.5 meters (34 feet) between safety barriers. Heavy traffic can occur, so care is needed when crossing, and parking is available near both riverbanks, while street lighting illuminates the structure at night for safe passage.
When first built, a toll was required to cross, and a small toll house on the left bank collected fees, with its stone walls and outline still visible today. The central arch is a structural achievement because it spans the river without mid-stream supports, allowing ship passage and demonstrating the engineering expertise of interwar Czechoslovakia.
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