Libe\u0148 Bridge changed its name more often than some people change socks. Here we stand before the Libe\u0148sk\u00fd most. This bridge spans the Vltava River connecting Hole\u0161ovice and Libe\u0148. It is the fifteenth bridge down the river.
Originally, planners wanted to name it Masaryk Bridge. This was to honor Tom\u00e1\u0161 Garrigue Masaryk. He was the first President of Czechoslovakia.
From 1939 to 1940 it was called Baxa Bridge. This honored Karel Baxa. He served as the mayor of Prague. Then from 1940 to 1945 it reverted to Libe\u0148 Bridge. After that, it became Baxa Bridge again until 1952. From 1952 to 1962 the bridge was known as Stalingrad Bridge. This name came from the city of Stalingrad. Since 1962 it has been Libe\u0148 Bridge.
The Libe\u0148sk\u00fd most is quite long. It stretches 370 metres without the ramps. Including those ramps it totals 780 metres. This makes it the longest bridge in Prague. The bridge is also 21 metres wide.
A tram line runs across the Libe\u0148 Bridge. It has done so since the bridge first opened. The Libe\u0148 Bridge is a concrete structure. Pavel Jan\u00e1k and Franti\u0161ek Mencl designed it in the Cubist style. It features five arches. These arches range from 28 to 43 metres in span.
This Libe\u0148sk\u00fd most replaced a temporary wooden bridge. The wooden bridge stood here from 1903. The Libe\u0148 Bridge opened on April 29 1928. This commemorated the tenth anniversary of Czechoslovakia’s existence.
Interestingly, the Libe\u0148 Bridge has never been reconstructed. It has simply endured. The bridge allows you to stand in the middle of Vltava’s curve. The unique lamps add to its character.
Franti\u0161ek Mencl also shaped other bridges in Prague. These include Hl\u00e1vk\u016fv most M\u00e1nes\u016fv most Trojsk\u00fd most and Jir\u00e1sk\u016fv most. Public opinion strongly supports preserving Libe\u0148 Bridge’s original character.
The river’s flow was diverted during its construction. This allowed builders to work on dry land. They then channeled the Vltava beneath the new spans. The bridge was handed over on October 29 1928. This coincided with celebrations for the Czechoslovak Republic’s tenth anniversary.
In 2002 floods caused some damage to the Libe\u0148 Bridge. A study in 2016 stated that the bridge needed restoration. The Prague City Hall closed it to cars and trams on January 19 2018. Trams returned on March 3 2018. However on January 11 2024 the bridge closed again to trams.
Despite its closures and name changes the Libe\u0148 Bridge remains a vital link. It connects Prague’s districts. It stands as a testament to Czech engineering and design. It shows resilience through changing times.