Čechůc bridge: Will the statues on the pillars spew water and fire?
The Čech Bridge is with its 169 meters the shortest bridge over the Vltava in Prague. It is not the only “best” attributed to him. It was built between 1905 and 1908 at a time when Art Nouveau was sprouting in Prague – that’s how it is the only Art Nouveau bridge in the capital, and that ‘s what it looks like. Without exaggeration, it can be said that it is the most decorated bridge in Prague.
“With its more than 235 individual luminaires, it is also the most illuminated, “The Chairman of the Board of Directors of Technologie hl. m of Prague (THMP) – a company that takes care of public lighting in the metropolis – Tomáš Jílek. It is possible that in the coming years, other protected features will be added to this protected monument, to which it is not equal even in Prague, today in the whole republic.
“Living” hydras and light bearers
When the bridge was built at the beginning of the 20th century, its creators prepared it for him ostentatious technical “tweaks“. They had two bronze hydras on the pillars spout water, on their opposite side then fire was to be blazed from the “torch” of the light carriers by means of the introduced gas – similarly to, for example, the bronze statue of Ladislav Šaloun in the area of the Michel gasworks. “The bridge was built as a harbinger of the world exhibition and the opening of the Exhibition Center“Prague councilor Jan Chabr (TOP 09) explained for Blesk why Čechův most is so unique compared to others.
“From the sources, however it is not clear to what extent this was only an intention and which part of the equipment was actually realized. We are searching the archives and so far we lack proof that the effects exhibition was installed and used, “explains Jílek. Nevertheless, the THMP is examining whether these elements could not be “revived” at present.
The current appearance of the Chekhov Bridge in Prague.
Author: Alexandr Malachovský
“It simply came to our notice then endoscopic camera survey inside the statuesso that we can eventually discover the remains of a gas pipeline or water pipeline that could supply both buildings, ”Jílek continues. “Only then will it be possible to start a discussion with the National Monuments Institute on the scope of the reconstruction of the effects equipment.”
Will we see in three years?
Everything is still in the stars. Councilor Chabr, however, reckons that if the plan passes the permission of conservationists and other authorities, it will not be the construction of new elements, but their renewal, and therefore reconstruction. “According to the original plan, the Hydra should spit water again. In the past, there was supposed to be a pump under the bridge, which injected water into the pillars, from which there were some kind of fountains.. Gas from the coast was to be introduced into the statues of the light bearers, “he said.
The question remains as to what condition the pipeline is in, if it really is in the pillars – because it must be not used for decades. “During the summer, a project should be drawn up, from which it should be clear whether the realization of the restoration of the ceremonial elements will be possible or not, including possible costs. We estimate them at 10 million so far, but we will know the specific technology and therefore the beginning only after the completion of the survey, “he added, adding that a bolder estimate, including the” renewal “of fountains and gas torches, could speak of 16 million.
How will it be with the implementation? Chabr reckons that The survey could be completed in the fall of this year. “The implementation itself could then take 14 months,” he estimates at the turn of the years 2023/2024.
Festive effects
However, in the event of implementation, the people of Prague would go to see the summer day after day – or night after night – for an impressive spectacle above the Vltava surface, for example. According to Chabr, the city would only use these spectacular elements solemnly. “It simply came to our notice then except for fireworks or during important days. At the same time, we plan a complete replacement of light elements in the design of LED technology, which will enable festive colored lighting of the bridgeas we know it, for example, from the Petřín lookout tower, “the councilor added.
The Čech Bridge has only two pillars. It is decorated on both sides with statues. In the past, they were supposed to rain water and fire. Will we see the same effective spectacle in the 21st century? (April 13, 2022)
Author: David Winter
Open or in the dome?
The question of the distant future still remains whether the possible flames on the torches would be open or closed, as in the gas lanterns of the street lighting on Charles Bridge. Do it within the fire safety not only conservationists will speak, but also fire brigade.
According to Jílek, the reports have not been preserved, so the final form of implementation will be resolved during the entire project. However, according to Jílek, running gas through a bridge on pillars will not be a problem. “If we decide that the statues can withstand the installation of burners, we have agreed that at the beginning of Paris Avenue, there is a possibility to take out a medium-pressure gas connectionHe concluded.
The Čech Bridge has only two pillars. It is decorated on both sides with statues. In the past, they were supposed to rain water and fire. Will we see the same effective spectacle in the 21st century? (April 13, 2022) David Winter
Čechův most: The municipality deals with the possibility of reviving four statues on the pillars of the bridge. Water could gush from the hyder, light bearers could hold burning torches in their hands. At least that was the intention of the bridge makers in the early 20th century. (April 13, 2022)
Author: David Winter