Similar to other railway bridges, the one beneath Vyšehrad does not have an official name, despite being a vital link between Smíchovské and Hlavní nádraží (the main railway stations). Since 1871, an old single-track bridge serving only freight transportation has stood in the same location. At the beginning of the 20th century, it was replaced by the current double-track bridge, featuring pedestrian walkways and three iconic arches. The shape of these arches complements the nearby Vyšehrad and blends into the scenery of Prague’s bridges. Although the bridge is a well-known landmark in Prague, its maintenance has been underestimated in the past, and apart from the recently restored pedestrian walkways, the bridge is in poor technical condition. This, combined with the bridge’s insufficient capacity, led the Railway Administration to launch an architectural competition that resulted in a proposal that does not involve renovating the bridge but rather demolishing it. The future of this structure is therefore highly uncertain.

The Hlávka Bridge is the only bridge in Prague that has retained its name throughout its existence. Its unique feature is its layered construction, providing valuable evidence of the development of architecture at the time. The original southern part, leading from Nové Město to Štvanice, showcased grand architecture and was made of steel. The following year, the innovative northern part leading to Holešovice was constructed using concrete, demonstrating the capabilities of this groundbreaking material. In the 1970s, the bridge was rebuilt to accommodate the emerging expressway. The steel section was demolished and replaced, while the concrete section, designed by architect Pavel Janák, was expanded. In 1983, a forebridge with an intersection was added near the Vltavská metro station, adorned with the sculpture group “Work and Humanity” by sculptor Jan Štursa. The island pillars of the bridge on Štvanice are adorned with reliefs of nudes by Ladislav Kofránek and Bohumil Kafka.

Reportedly the only cubist bridge in the world, it has been connecting Holešovice and Libeň since the 1920s. It is also the only bridge in Prague that was built “on dry land,” so to speak. At the time of its construction, the regulation of the Vltava River was also taking place, allowing the bridge to be built over a section of the newly excavated riverbed that had not yet been flooded. Additionally, the bridge spans the newly created Rohanský Island, where a transfer station was initially planned according to Pavel Janák, the bridge’s architect. Janák himself designed a series of buildings following its line, but these visions from the First Republic era were never realized. The style of the bridge represents a wave of avant-garde functionalism and cubism, which can be observed in the shaping of the bridge pillars, lamps, and other details. Despite being a significant work, it had never been repaired during its existence and faced the risk of demolition. However, in September 2022, extensive reconstruction work officially began.

One of the architects involved in the construction of the Troja Bridge is Roman Koucký, who is also known for designing the Dlouhý Bridge in České Budějovice and the iconic Mariánský Bridge in Ústí nad Labem. The current bridge, connecting Holešovice with Troja, was built as a replacement for the so-called Rámusák, which was constructed as a temporary structure during the building of the Barikádníků Bridge in the 1980s. It served as a bypass for tram traffic across the river until 2013 when construction of the new elegant structure was underway nearby. The new Troja Bridge has received several awards in the Czech Republic and abroad. It features two traffic lanes for automobiles in each direction, tram tracks, and a sidewalk for pedestrians and cyclists. It has become a popular subject for photographers and filmmakers.

The Braník Bridge is popularly nicknamed the “Bridge of Intelligence” because it was built by members of the so-called “class enemies” of communism. These educated individuals, such as lawyers, doctors, and others, were forced by the regime to work in manual labor and similar professions. The bridge has been standing there since the 1950s, but railway operations did not commence until 1964 when the connecting railway track was completed. The project was initially planned for double-track operation, but you won’t find a second track on the bridge. Although it was briefly laid on the bridge, it had to be removed after unsuccessful load tests. Similarly, the Chuchle Railway Tunnel that follows the bridge is not adapted for double-track operation either.

A reinforced concrete functionalist structure has been spanning the Vltava River for over 70 years. It stands in the place of its iron predecessor – the František Josef I Bridge, which was colloquially referred to as Eliska‘s, named after the monarch’s wife. Its capacity gradually became insufficient, and it was therefore replaced by the current bridge. At the time of its construction, it was named Šverm Bridge after a member of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia, whose statue was located near the bridge on the right bank of the Vltava. However, both the statue and its name have been taken by time, and since the 1990s, the bridge has been named after a Czechoslovak Minister of Defense.

Until 1910, it was the longest bridge in Europe, thanks to its 87 arches spanning across Nové Město, Karlín, Holešovice, the Vltava River, and Štvanice Island. The Negrelli Viaduct, dating back to the mid-19th century, is the second oldest surviving bridge in Prague. Its construction allowed trains to depart from Masarykovo nádraží towards Dresden. The section above Karlín is made of sandstone, while granite was used as the construction material for the parts over the river. The bridge’s simplistic design adds to its aesthetic appeal, as does its uniform concept, which was later altered by subsequent reconstructions and additions. From 2010 to 2012, the entire 1,111 meters long structure underwent renovation, restoring its original charm.

The latest entry to the scenery of Prague’s bridges is the footbridge with the illustrative nickname HolKa, which connects the riverbanks of Holešovice and Karlín. Upon first sight of the thin, subtle line hovering above the river, one might think that the bridge probably defies the laws of physics. This is thanks to the clever decision of the authors to use ultra-high-performance concrete, which allowed them to reduce the overall height of the structure to just 1.85 metres and ensured that the 57 connected profiles together are supported by only 5 columns with a span of up to 60 metres.

A beautiful wrought iron handrail by artist Aleš Hvízdal complements the entire length of the bridge and the contrast between the concrete body and the perhaps archaic handrail allows the minimalist appearance of the footbridge to stand out. Especially the youngest admirers will be attracted by the finishing of the handrail with animal motifs. The entrance to the footbridge in Holešovice is guarded by a pair of bulls, which recalls the history of Prague’s abattoirs. The entrance from Karlín is protected by a pair of horses, referring to the wartime history of the Prague Invalidovna, and at the ramp to the Štvanice island we can find two rabbits and a sculpture called River by Jan Hendrych.