UNESCO urges Prague to preserve historic railway bridge

The UNESCO World Heritage Committee has recommended that Prague not demolish the historic railway bridge beneath Vyšehrad fortress, citing its contribution to the city’s iconic river panorama. The decision, made at the committee’s 47th session in Paris, was confirmed Tuesday by the Czech Culture Ministry.

The bridge, built in 1901 and located at Výtoň, is currently in poor condition and subject to limited train traffic. The Czech Railway Administration has proposed replacing it with a modern structure, citing severe corrosion. However, critics argue the bridge suffers from maintenance neglect and can still be repaired using original riveting technology.

A UNESCO advisory mission from the World Heritage Centre and ICOMOS visited Prague in December 2024 and issued a similar recommendation, urging reconstruction rather than replacement. The committee’s position reaffirms those findings, emphasizing that the bridge is an integral part of the historic Prague riverfront, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1992.

In addition to the bridge, the committee raised concerns about three planned high-rise buildings in the Pankrác district, warning they would worsen the visual impact on Prague’s skyline. It also advised the city to conduct a heritage impact assessment of the proposed Vltava Philharmonic Hall in Prague 7.

Czech Transport Minister Martin Kupka said this week he will consider UNESCO’s opinion and the final Heritage Impact Assessment before deciding whether to replace or repair the bridge. He expects to decide by the end of the current election term, which concludes in October.