viadukt Božetice Railway bridge

The railway viaduct across the Smutna River, located at the solitude of Kvěchov in the territory of the municipalities of Božetika and Sepekov in the district of Písek, is an important historical monument of the Czech Republic. Viaduct, part of the railway line Tábor-Ražice, was entered in the Central List of Cultural Monuments in 1988 and is remarkable for its architecture and historical context. The Viaduct boasts nine arches, built from roughly carved quarry stones, reflecting technology in the late 19th century.

The creation of the viaduct was related to the entry into service of the railway line Tábor-Ražice in 1889. At that time, the development of railways was key to industrial and economic growth in Europe, reflecting the need for efficient transport networks. Viaduct over the Smutna River was one of the important building elements of this line and its construction reflected technological advances of the time.

The viaduct is built from large quarry stones. Pillars have a ground plan of a rectangle that narrows up and are decorated with crackers at the back of the vaults. The national blocks of the pillars are barefoot and walled on a lime mortar with an outer claw made of concrete. The Viaduct is unveiled, which gives its historical appearance authenticity. Parapet boards with a width of 59 cm and a height of 35 cm with an overlap in the RS are fitted with steel railing, which gives both safety and aesthetic value to the bridge.

Over the years, the viaduct has been subjected to several repairs. A major reconstruction took place in 2003, which ensured its durability and safety for current railway users. The Viaduct is now 147.80 metres long, 4.78 metres wide in the crown and has a bridge length of 137.55 metres with a maximum height of 20.88 metres.

An interesting thing is the paradoxical situation of the cadastral territory: even if the eastern end of the bridge belongs to the Sepekov cadastral, this end is further away from Sepekov building. The Viaduct is located between the municipalities of Božetice and Sepekov, with the largest part of its territory belonging to the Božetics.

In the vicinity of the viaduct is located the natural monument of Lom Skalka near Sepekov, which was active until 1935. This proximity to the natural monument gives the area another historical and ecological value.

Today the viaduct is accessible for a visit, although the primary purpose remains transport infrastructure. For tourists and historians, it offers a unique opportunity to become acquainted with 19th century architectural art and to understand the importance of railways for the development of the region.

The railway viaduct across the Smutna River is not only a technological monument, but also a witness to the history and culture of the Czech Republic. His visit offers a view of the past and the present, making him a necessary place for everyone interested in history and architecture.