Stádlec Bridge

The bridge originally spanned the Vltava River at Podolsko, about 10 km east of Písek. It was built between 1847–1848 by České Budějovice entrepreneur Vojtěch Lanna and designed by Bedřich Schnirch, an architect who designed many similar bridges not only in Bohemia but also abroad.

The bridge served in full operation for over 90 years. In 1942, automobile traffic was redirected to a new reinforced concrete bridge that spanned the entire Vltava valley. The suspension bridge continued to serve local traffic until 1960. With the construction of the Orlík Dam and the filling of the reservoir, which would have submerged the bridge, it was completely dismantled, its components marked, and stored.

Among the various locations considered for the bridge’s reuse, the Lužnice valley near Stádlec was eventually chosen, at a spot where a ferry had historically been used to cross the river. The riverbed and road were similar in width to the original site. According to the documentation, the original parts were reassembled, and the bridge was reopened on May 25, 1975.

The 157-meter-long bridge is suspended on two double-curved chains, which are connected to the wooden deck by vertical rods. The chains pass through openings in two stone pylons that frame the bridge and are anchored in masonry blocks.

The bridge has undergone a complete renovation. Access is permitted for vehicles weighing up to 1.5 tons. Several hiking trails lead from the bridge. Upstream, a red-marked trail leads to the Příběnice Castle or all the way to Tábor. Downstream, the red or blue trails lead to Dobronice Castle and further on the red trail to Bechyně.

In 1959, the bridge was declared a national technical monument. The maximum vehicle weight is 1.5 tons.