Žampašský most Arc bridge

Žampašský most, also known as the Cat Viaduct, is the second highest stone railway bridge in Central Europe. The bridge of the Kocour Valley and the Cold River allows a connection between the Jampach and the Cold City of Jílové u Prahy. This historical monument, built from robust grandiorita, is not only a technical innovation of its time, but also a cultural heritage of the Czech Republic.

The emergence of the bridge was linked to the intensive development of the railway network in Central Europe at the end of the 19th century, which enabled better interconnections between regions and supported economic growth. In the Czech Republic, industrialization and urbanisation were also visible at the time. The bridge was built between 1898 and 1900 when approximately 200 workers from Italy with experience from the buildings in the Alps joined it. The material was supplied by field grooves and ties, which underlines the technical and logistical challenges of the time.

The architecture of the bridge is remarkable by its construction of seven arches with a 12-metre span and a total length of 109.33 metres. Its longitudinal axis is not in the line but formed by an arc of 180 meters radius. The highest pillar reaches a height of 33 metres and the total height of the bridge is 41.73 metres, which makes it only less than a metre lower than the Nusel Bridge in Prague. The bridge has a width of 5.77 metres and the conical pillars have a different width, each of which is stronger.

After the opening ceremony in 1900, the bridge was declared a cultural monument of the Czech Republic in 1958. During its existence it underwent several reconstructions, the most important of which took place in 2011- 2012. The rail bed has been replaced, new insulation has been laid against water leak, new railings have been fitted and damaged stones have been replaced. This maintenance ensured that the bridge still serves normal operation without major repairs.

The interesting thing is that in 2013, the Czech National Bank issued a gold coin called the Railway Bridge in Jampach, which is part of the cycle of the Bridge of the Czech Republic. This coin highlights the cultural and historical value of this engineering work.

Today, Žampašský most stands as a testament to technological progress and architectural vision at the end of the 19th century. Its robust granodiorite structure and impressive dimensions make it not only a functional but also an aesthetically attractive monument. The bridge is ideal for tourists to explore the history of railway transport and architecture in Bohemia.

Žampašský most reflects the technical capabilities of its time and represents an important piece of cultural heritage. His visit offers a unique opportunity to explore the history and architecture of the region and to appreciate the art of engineering that connects the past with the present.