The Písek Stone Bridge
(Kamenný Most)
The Stone Bridge in Písek is a national cultural monument and one of the town’s most iconic landmarks. Built by royal order before the end of the 13th century, it is the oldest preserved stone bridge in the Czech Republic—predating Prague’s Charles Bridge by at least 50 years—and one of the oldest of its kind in Europe, surpassed only by the bridge in Regensburg, Bavaria.
Constructed from large stone blocks—some still bearing original stonemason marks—the bridge spans 111 meters and features seven arches. In the past, it was protected by defensive towers on both ends, though these no longer stand.
The bridge is adorned with Baroque statues added in the 18th century, including figures of St. John of Nepomuk with angels, St. Anne, St. Anthony of Padua, and a Calvary scene. Today, visitors see replicas; the original sculptures have been preserved elsewhere.
Over the centuries, the bridge has survived numerous floods. During the devastating 2002 flood, it was completely submerged by the Otava River, which destroyed one of the angels, damaged the parapets, and compromised the bridge floor. Thanks to public fundraising and restoration efforts, the bridge was quickly repaired.
Today, the Písek Stone Bridge is freely accessible year-round and offers beautiful views of the river and historic town center.
