Lávka Velké Moravy Bridge
Lávka Velké Moravy is a steel bridge that crosses the Moravian River and connects the Czech municipality Mikulčice in the Hodonín district with the Slovak village Kopčany in the Skalica district. The construction was opened in 2019 and serves hikers and cyclists.
The construction plan started in 2006, but the implementation lasted more than ten years before the opening in 2019. The key benefit of the footbridge is to shorten the path between the Slavic Castle in Mikulčice and the Church of St. Margaret of Antioch by more than ten kilometres. In this way she became an important link for visitors who want to get to know both of these places.
From a technical point of view it is a steel structure with the following dimensions: 143 meters in length, almost 5 meters in width and 9 metres in height. The construction designer was Novák & Partner. These parameters ensure safe and comfortable passage for both walking and cyclists.
The name of the bridge was ensured through public participation. In the first round, citizens submitted their proposals through social networks and e-mails, which they sent to the South Moravian Region and the Trnava Autonomous Region. The counties chose two names - Lávka Velké Moravy and St. Margaret's Lávka - and organised a public vote. The results were announced in August 2020: the name Lávka Velké Moravy won with 86% of the vote in the South Moravian Region and 79% of the vote in the Trnava Autonomous Region.
The financing of the construction was provided from several sources. The total budget reached less than EUR 3.8 million. Eighty percent of the costs were paid by the European Regional Development Fund through the Interreg VA programme Slovak Republic - Czech Republic. The remaining fifteen percent were covered by the budgets of the South Moravian Region, the state budget of the Czech Republic, the state budget of the Slovak Republic and the budget of the Trnava Autonomous Region.
Today, the bridge allows visitors an easier way between the Slavic Castle and the Church of St. Margaret of Antioch. The construction represents a practical link in the border and facilitates the survey of these two key points.
Historical milestones
- 2006
- Start planning of the bridge between Mikulčicemi and Kopčany.
- 2019
- Opening of the Great Moravia bridge after construction.
- 20
- Announcement of the results of the public vote on the name of the footbridge, the title * Lávka Velké Moravy * won.
Architectural development
It is a simple but functional steel construction without historical reconstruction. It was built as a modern transport connection without architectural elements older than the present.
Points of interest
- The bridge was named through public participation, where the title * Lávka Velké Moravy * won with 86% of the votes in South Moravia.
- The construction was opened in 2019 after more than a decade of planning which began in 2006.
- The bridge shortens the path between the Slavic Castle in Mikulčice and the Church of St. Margaret of Antioch by more than ten kilometres.
- Technically, it's a steel construction with a length of 143 meters, a width of nearly 5 meters and a height of 9 meters.
- The financing of the construction was mainly provided by the European Regional Development Fund (80%), the remaining 15% were contributed by the regions and national budgets of both countries.
Guide
This guide is narrated by a synthetic voice generated by artificial intelligence.
Show guide text
This text was created by artificial intelligence and has not been editorially reviewed. It may contain inaccuracies.
The Velké Moravy Footbridge connects two communities across the Morava River on both sides of the border: the Moravian Mikulčice in the Hodonín district and the Slovak Kopčany in the Skalica district. It is intended for pedestrians and cyclists.
It was planned from 2006 onwards and was opened in 2019. It connected the two most significant landmarks in the entire area, the Slavic Settlement in Mikulčice and the Church of Saint Margaret of Antioch in Kopčany. The journey between them was shortened by more than ten kilometers thanks to it.
The footbridge is made of steel. It measures one hundred and forty-three meters in length, almost five meters in width, and nine meters in height. The construction project was developed by the firm Novák and Partner.
The name was decided by the public. In the first round, people sent suggestions via social networks and emails to the South Moravian Region and the Trnava Self-governing Region. The regions selected two names from them, the Velké Moravy Footbridge and the Saint Margaret Footbridge, and these were then voted on through the social networks of both regions. In August 2020, the regions announced the results. In both votes, the name Velké Moravy Footbridge won, on the Czech side with eighty-six percent of the votes, on the Slovak side with seventy-nine percent.
The construction cost nearly three point eight million euros. Eighty-five percent of the costs were covered by the European Fund for Regional Development as part of the cross-border Interreg Slovakia – Czech Republic programme. The remainder was paid by the South Moravian Region, the Trnava Self-governing Region, and the state budgets of the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic.
Tips for visitors
Best time to visit
Best time to visit the Great Moravia footbridge is in spring and autumn when there is pleasant weather and fewer tourists. It is often busy here in summer, but the view across the river Moravia is the most beautiful in this period. Morning or evening hours are ideal for shooting when the sun creates pleasant shadows and lights the bridge from the most advantageous angle. In winter the bridge is still accessible, but some parts of the area can be frozen or difficult to access.
It is recommended to park near the centre of the village, from where the bridge is only a few minutes walking distance. The current connection and paths can be found in the traffic search engine.
What to take
When visiting the footbridge, wear comfortable shoes, because part of the way leads along the sidewalk with a slight inclination. It is also appropriate to take a raincoat or umbrella because the weather can be unpredictable. If you are planning to take pictures, bring with you a lens with a larger focus that allows you to capture detailed images of the bridge and surrounding landscape. Also remember mobile phone with sufficient charge for navigation and photography.
Photography - best places and light
Best places for shooting are both sides of the footbridge, especially at the beginning and end of the bridge, where the view of the river Moravia and surrounding landscape is the most beautiful. For the best results, photograph in the morning or evening light when the sun creates soft shadows and illuminates the bridge from side angles. From the Czech side is an interesting view of the bridge from the level of the archaeological site Mikulčice, while from the Slovak side offers the church of St. Margaret an interesting contrast of historical architecture with modern construction of the footbridge.
What to visit in the area (within 30 minutes)
Close to the bridge of Great Moravia there are several interesting places to visit. In the village Mikulčice, about a kilometre from the bridge, is located the Slavic Hradic Mikulčice, which is one of the most important archaeological sites in Moravia. Here you can see the remnants of the ancient castle and learn more about the history of the Welkomorac Empire. In Kopchany on the Slovak side of the footbridge there is the church of St. Margaret of Antiochian, which is a historical monument with a rich past. A trip along the river Moravia is also an excellent option because it offers beautiful views and the opportunity to know nature in the surroundings.
Tips for families with children
For families with children a visit to the Great Moravia footbridge is a great opportunity to get to know and enjoy. Children can see the modern steel construction of the bridge and see how it works. There is enough space around the footbridge for running and games, especially on the Czech side of the archaeological site Mikulčice, where it is possible to see the remains of ancient castles. In Kopčany on the Slovak side it is possible to visit the church of St. Margaret, where children can discover historical details and listen to stories from the past. It is also recommended to visit the river Moravia, where children can observe nature and possibly fish.
Frequently asked questions
Can the monument be visited?
This is a structure in a public space that can usually be seen from outside free of charge. We have not verified that this particular one is freely accessible.
Where is the monument?
Location: Mikulčice, Jihomoravský kraj. The map on this page shows the exact spot.
For kids
Imagine coming back seven years and finding yourself in an amazing place where the rivers of Moravia and Dyje connect. This is where the Great Moravia footbridge is today, which connects the Czech municipality Mikulčice with the Slovak village Kopčany.
Today there is a modern bridge for pedestrians and cyclists, but 2119 years ago this area was completely different. It was a country inhabited by people who lived by their own traditions and customs. These people were part of the Great Moravia, a powerful empire that reached from Poland today to Serbia.
Businesses nearby
Do you run a restaurant, accommodation, shop, museum, rental, wellness or other visitor service near this monument? Show yourself directly to the people heading to it — this is how they will see you in the app and on the web:
Events nearby
Zdroj akcí: otevřená data měst a obcí ČR (Národní katalog otevřených dat) a kalendář akcí Národního památkového ústavu.
Nearby
Slavic castle in Mikulčice, Church of St. Margaret of Antioch
Accommodation nearby
Themed route
1. Slavic castle Mikulčice - archaeological site. A unique complex of early medieval buildings, where you can soak up the atmosphere of Slavic culture and see the preserved foundations of churches and palaces.
2. Lávka Velké Moravy - bridge. The main destination of the route, the historic wooden bridge connecting the Czech and Slovak sides, offers a wonderful view of the river and the possibility to move to the second region.
3. Church of St. Margaret of Antioch - Church. Baroque sanctuary in Kopčany, just a short walk from the Slovak side of the footbridge, where you can admire the rich decoration and calm atmosphere of the spiritual place.
4. The river Moravia - water flow. After crossing the bridge, a wide river is spread out, whose calm level and surrounding natural scenery provide an ideal place to relax and photograph.
Seasonal recommendations
Spring After a winter's sleep, the landscape around the Great Moravia Lávka awakens to life - tree crowns turn into fresh green shades and the first flowers appear along the river. The light is soft and scattered, which gives the bridge a romantic touch. In this period it is advisable to come early in the morning when there is not yet a great burden of tourists and temperatures are pleasantly cold. We recommend comfortable shoes and a light jacket, because the morning can be cold and the noon can warm up quickly.
Summer In the summer months the Lávka will light up under the bright sun, the surrounding meadows are littered with wild flowers and the river receives live energy. The atmosphere is busier because many visitors use long days to view and photograph. The best is to arrive early in the morning or late in the afternoon, when the crowd's tips are calmed down slightly and the light is still good enough. Practical advice includes sun protection - hat, sunscreen and plenty of water. Light, breathable shoes and comfortable shorts or skirts are suitable, but do not forget the light umbrella raincoat for possible afternoon showers.
Autumn Autumn colors turn the surroundings of the Lávka in a palette of golden, red and brown shades, creating a nostalgic and calm atmosphere. Sun rays are softer and temperatures gradually decrease, which is ideal for slower walks along the river. We recommend planning a visit for late afternoon when light is reflected from the water level and creates interesting contrasts. Practically fits layered clothes - sweater or light jacket over shirt, because the morning can be colder and afternoon lighter. Comfortable shoes with good grip are useful because the leaves can be slippery on the trails.
Winter The winter season brings Lávka under a white snow cover, the river calms down and the surrounding forests become quiet, creating an almost mystical atmosphere. The light is often scattered and cold, which underlines the historical structure of the bridge. Due to shorter days and lower temperatures, it is best to arrive during the morning when the most light is, and avoid late afternoon hours when it can quickly get dark. Practical advice includes warm clothes - thermal linens, thick jacket, hat, gloves and solid shoes with anti-slip sole, because ice on the stone parts can be dangerous. Thanks to the smaller number of visitors, you can experience a quiet and focused tour in winter, which will allow you to see the historical details of the Great Moravia Lávka.
Visualizations and artistic views
The visualisations are generated by artificial intelligence and serve as inspiration.
Photos from the area
Real photos taken near the monument
Zdroj a licence jsou uvedeny u každého snímku.
Atmosphere of the place
This atmospheric visualisation of the place and period was generated by artificial intelligence. It is not real footage of the location.
Tips from visitors
No tips yet. Be the first!
Log in and add your tip.
Sources and literature
Photos: Draceane / CC BY-SA 4.0 — Wikimedia Commons. The author and licence also appear when you hover over the image.
Faktickým podkladem tohoto textu byl článek na Wikipedii, jehož autory jsou přispěvatelé Wikipedie. Článek je dostupný pod licencí CC BY-SA 4.0.
Location on the map
Příběhy a pověsti
Legendy, pověsti a příběhy spjaté s touto památkou
Fotografie návštěvníků
Zatím žádné fotografie. Buďte první, kdo přidá fotografii z návštěvy!
Log in a přidejte svou fotografii nebo hodnoťte.
Za ověřenou návštěvu v aplikaci získáte víc bodů — poznáme podle GPS, že jste na místě.
Reviews and comments