Podolí I: Bridge, Museum and History

The Podolský Bridge, the Podolí I Museum and the Chapel of Our Lady Queen offer various historical points of interest for planning a visit to Podolí I. The focus is on construction history, a photo exhibition, pilgrimage and remembrance. If you are looking for a hotel in Podolí I, the purpose of your visit may influence when you plan your trip: the museum can be visited by prior arrangement, while the pilgrimage and commemorative ceremony take place on specific days.

The Podolský Bridge: Construction and Architecture

The Podolský Bridge was built between 1938 and 1943. Its main arch is 150 metres long; this measurement refers specifically to the arch. The bridge is known as the “Gateway to Heaven” and received awards at international competitions in Paris and Liège. Several distinct aspects come together here: a clearly dated construction period, a specific structural measurement, and a named nickname along with awards. Visitors interested in architecture and local history can place the structure in context both chronologically and by considering its design.

The permanent photo exhibition at the Podolí I Museum documents the construction of the Podolský Bridge during the same years, from 1938 to 1943. It complements the information about the structure with a photographic record of this construction period. The museum can be visited by prior arrangement with the staff of the municipal office. So arrange your visit in advance rather than planning it as something you can do spontaneously.

The Ferry Route and Remembrance of Podolsko

An old trade route from Bavaria to Galicia crossed the Podolsko ferry. The ferry was first mentioned in writing in 1493; the route ran there until the chain bridge was built in 1848. This year refers to the chain bridge, not the Podolský Bridge, whose construction did not begin until 1938. The two dates therefore mark different periods in history: the ferry was part of the trade route until 1848, while the Podolský Bridge was built almost nine decades later.

An information board on the Temešvár side of the Podolský Bridge was replaced on 8 May 2014. It provides information about events in Podolsko at the end of the Second World War. A small commemorative ceremony is held on the same side every year on 8 May. The board and the ceremony have different functions: the board covers the historical events, while the ceremony is a recurring event. If you plan to travel on 8 May, check the ceremony programme in advance.

Chapel and Annual Pilgrimage

The Chapel of Our Lady Queen in Podolí was built by settlers in 1970. A pilgrimage is held at the chapel every year on the last Sunday in May. The year 1970 and the pilgrimage provide two different points of reference: 1970 is the year the chapel was built, while the last Sunday in May is the recurring date of the event. The exact calendar date and programme may change. If the pilgrimage is central to your trip, check the latest information in advance.

When looking for a hotel in Podolí I, the purpose of your trip can be a useful starting point. A museum visit requires prior arrangement with municipal office staff; if you are travelling for an event, check the date and programme. The planning requirements differ: an arranged visit, a commemorative day on 8 May, and a pilgrimage on the last Sunday in May. This lets you match your travel dates to the focus of your trip without assuming that all three follow the same schedule.

Discover more destinations: Cimelice, Mirovice, Sepekov, Tálín, Předotice, Zběšičky, Horosedly, Ražice.

Go to the regional travel overview: Okres Písek.