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The Nuselsky Bridge as a Temptation for 300 Self-Murderers

For Praguers it was really a special occasion. Communist prominence were proud of socialism and of working-class glamorous labour abilities. Some thirty-seven years ago Secretary General of the Communist party, Gustav Husák, proudly cut the red band when having been celebrating the Nuselský bridge´s opening. It spans the Nusle Valley (Nusle district) and connects the Pankrác district and south-eastern parts of the city with the central part of town.

All about The Nuselsky Bridge (Nuselský most) more read here

The bridge, originally called the Bridge of Klement Gottwald, became very soon crucially important to Prague’s transportation network, since all north south traffic flows across its span. There should have been also tram-line, accompanying the roadway, but “Comrades” decided for underground inside the bridge instead. Czech people counted for Czech underground, nevertheless, quite unexpectedly, Moscow held the last decisive speech: with Russian tram-cars only!

The problem at that time was that Russian tram-cars were too heavy. The bridge was not constructed for such a weigh.

Special steel grid was remounted into the bridge, so that pressure could be equally “distributed” to the tube´ s side walls. Another bearing test was arrival of sixty tanks form Rakovník tank regiment. The last dynamic testing took place there in 1974, shortly before the underground running.

Despite the profound testing, it was line C, running through the bridge, where new and not so heavy tram-cars were launched, even though the label “Made in SSSR” remained.

Origin of the idea dates back to history, long before the construction works began in 1967. Bridging of the Nusle Valley dates back to the very beginning of 20th century.

The unique idea comes from a well-known architect Jan Kotěra whose suggestion was to build dwelling-houses in bridge abutments. For tenants the idea of “flying” self-murderer in front of the window, or, falling pictures from the walls in the living room whenever underground is running through the bridge, evoke rather chilling ghost stories.

In the end, all the preparatory building works began in the 60s of 20th century. In the Pankrác district there had been emerging several new housing projects at that time, thus, connection with the central part of the city became necessary. The areas should have been connected by trolley road, final outcome was, as we saw above, completely different…..

The building works took six years and to stress the bridge´s uniqueness opening ceremonies were planned for a special anniversary – for 25th anniversary of “Victorious February”. The name of the bridge was a fiasco as well.

The year 2000 is the proof that this bridge is not a mere socialist construction, but an extraordinary technical work. This construction of Vojtěch Michálek and Stanislav Hubička was declared the First Bridgework of the Century in the cathegory of Transport construction.

Today it plays the key role among Prague highway systems.

Around 160 thousand vehicles run over the bridge daily, in rush hours several kilometers long lines of vehicles cummulate there, so, quite a small accident is enough to stop the traffic completely.

Because of its height the bridge was from the very beginning like a magnet for self-murderers. One is clear – the bridge is heigh enough to ensure the jumper a successful suicide. That is not a nice promotion, is it? The number of jumpers is estimated at 300 since the completion of the bridge up to now. The Prague City Council did not accept the bridge´s reputation and looked for ideas to prevent people from being able to commit suicide there. Special barriers – curved construction of stainless sheet steel – were put in place on the bridge, which is now also under the daily surveillance of a camera system. The protective railing is now 2.7 meters high. The number of attempts to climb over the barriers has fallen by 50%, nevertheless, some climbers have already tried to get over the barriers. There is also railway under the bridge, the death is therefore certain – some self-murderers might find the bridge a popular „solution“.

And what about the numbers? The bridge is 485 long, 26.5m wide and is 42.5m about ground in average.

All about Monuments Prague 2 Distict read here

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Address:
Nuselský most
140 00 Praha 4

Connection:
Metro trasa C – stanice Vyšehrad (dříve Gottwaldova)

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  Tourist guide PRAGUE CITY LINE - Prague 2 (15,1 MiB, 6 703 hits)

Updated: 9.11.2015 – In the guide will find a map. The map shows tourist route. This route we recommend as the best way through Prague 2, you will see all the most important. In the map are marked stops at major sights, the description in the text guide. You will also find links to museums, restaurants, hotels and other services that offer discounts or we recommend for the quality of services.

 

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Tags: Significant buildings
Categories: Favorite Walks, Prague Monuments | Komentáře nejsou povolené u textu s názvem The Nuselsky Bridge as a Temptation for 300 Self-Murderers
Monuments: Nuselsky Bridge (Nuselský most)

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