T ATO PREZENTACE JE HRAZENA Z PROJEKTU : Spolupráce s partnery – základ kvalitní odborné výuky registrační číslo: CZ.1.07/1.1.01/

BRIDGE IN NÁMĚŠŤ COMPARISON OF PHOTOS FROM THE 19 th AND 20 th CENTURIES AND THE YEAR 2010

The Oslava river flows through a small town Náměšť. This river divides Náměšť into two parts which are connected by a stone Baroque bridge.

SHORTLY FROM THE HISTORY OF THE BRIDGE In the year 1706 flood ripped off a previous wooden bridge which was built on the place of the present bridge. Damages caused construction of a new stone-brick bridge which would resist possible future floodings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE BRIDGE The bridge is often called „ small Charles´ bridge“. Apart from Prague Charles´ bridge, it is the biggest bridge with the richest statue decorations. The idea of building sculptures on bridge pillars is based on Italian Baroque era. The bridge connects two parts of Náměšť. Both parts are historical. A castle rises above the right bank of the Oslava river. The church of saint John Babtist is on the left bank. There are also a presbytery and a historical school (newly reconstracted).

BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION Foundations are built by stones and sand. The bridge is 74,8m long and 8m wide. There are 0,5m wide rails on both sides of the bridge.Stone statues are set opposite each other on the rails. Carrying pillars are about 2 m wide. Pillars are joined by spans. The biggest span is 10m wide and about 5m high.

STATUE DECORATION OF BRIDGE 20 sculptures from 18 th century are set on the bridge. Josef Winterhalter is thought to be the designer of those statues by mistake. He created only eight of them. Others were cut according to his models. Statues perform mainly angels (archangel Gabriel, archangel Michael, archangel Rafael and the angel from the heaven gate), saints (for example Jan Nepomucký, saint Anna, saint František).

BRIDGE STATUE DECORATION HISTORY AND PRESENT Saint Jana Saint Jáchym

SOURCES Book Náměšť nad Oslavou - historie a současnost. Mr. M. Maloušek – his photos, postcards, books Written by: Eliška Kabátová, L2