Completed in 1933, the Jirasek Bridge stands as a testament to Prague’s growth. This isn’t just any bridge. It’s the sixth bridge to grace the Vltava River, a direct response to the booming district of Smíchov, which had outgrown the nearby Palacký Bridge. The Jirasek Bridge elegantly connects Smíchov to New Town. Its construction, spanning from 1929 to 1933, was a collaborative effort. Architect Vlastimil Hofman and engineer František Mencl brought this reinforced concrete marvel to life. The bridge stretches an impressive 310 meters in length and 21 meters in width. Five granite-clad concrete pillars support six parabolic arcs, giving the Jirasek Bridge its distinctive profile. The bridge’s opening was a two-stage affair. Initially, only the central section was open for trams. Two years later, the remaining portions opened to car traffic, although the tram tracks have since been removed. The Jirasek Bridge’s simple artistic decoration emphasizes its primary function: transportation. The exterior surfaces are finished with artificial stone plaster, while the concrete railings and lighting poles boast a glazed patio surface. At each end of the Jirasek Bridge, decorative fountains and obelisks adorn the pylons. The bridge’s namesake, Czech writer Alois Jirásek, resided in a house near the bridge, in what is now Jirásek Square, from 1903 to 1930. His literary legacy lives on, intertwined with the enduring presence of the Jirasek Bridge.
Центральный дом работников искусств
Step through the grand wooden doors of the Central House of the Workers of Art, and you’ll be transported to