viadukt Křenová Bridge

Viaduktu Køenová is a railway bridge on the north direction of the main station Brno, in the village Brno-město. Built in the 1940s as part of a track link between Brno and Česká Třebová, it surpasses Køenová Street and is protected as a cultural monument since 1983. The Viaduct is characterised not only by historical value, but also by architectural structure and key role in the development of railway infrastructure in the region.

The construction of the viaduct was carried out in the years 1847-1848 by Gebrüder Klein during the construction of the line from Brno to České Třebová, which was opened on 1 January 1849 as part of the North State Railway. Originally a three-track bridge was used for normal operation and handling purposes, one of the tracks connected the passenger station to the freight station. The Viaduct was a key link between the historical core of Brno and its southeast suburbs, reflecting wider European trends in industrialisation and modernisation of transport in the 19th century.

The architecture of the viaduct is characterized by its stone forming with six segmented arches lined with sandstone blocks. The Viaduct has a length of 37,20 metres and a width of 16,50 metres, with a height of about 6 metres. Since 1901, the largest intermediate passages have been used by tram lines and along them are road passages, including trolleybus tracks. The adjacent single-track steel bridge has a length of 43 metres and a width of 11,40 metres, with four panels with a radius of approximately 6 + 14 + 14 + 6 metres. Its riveted beams are mounted on stone supports and are supported by decorated cast iron columns.

During its existence the viaduct has undergone many changes and reconstruction. In 1870 it was extended to five tracks to take the clutch between Lower and Main Station. The steel bridge next to the viaduct was replaced by a new construction in 1895, which became an integral part of the whole building. In the 20th century there were further changes in the structure of the tracks and in 1936 the viaduct was expanded from concrete on its western side. The viaduct line was electrified in 1967, reflecting the modernization of rail transport.

Viaduct Køenová went through several key events during her history. In July and August 2013 it was completely reconstructed for the first time for the complete lockouts of railway transport, which meant the cost of about CZK 60 million. This reconstruction included the completion of the vaults in summer 2014. In 2025 there was a complete reconstruction of the adjacent steel bridge with costs of approximately CZK 94 million.

Today viadukt Křenová is not only a monument but also a functional element of railway infrastructure. Its historical significance and architectural value make it an interesting destination for tourists and locals. The Viaduct testifies to the rich history of rail transport in Central Europe and its reconstruction shows the importance of maintaining cultural heritage for future generations. Viaduct Køenová is therefore not only a monument to the past, but also a living testimony about progress and innovation in transport.