Radošov Bridge

Radošov Bridge is a covered wooden road bridge over the Ohře River in Radošov near Kyselka. With a history reaching back to 1364, it is one of the oldest technical monuments of its kind in Central Europe and one of the most atmospheric stops in the Ohře valley.

The bridge is more than 62 metres long and over 5.5 metres wide, protected by a steep shingle roof. It stands on the old land route that once linked Prague with western centres such as Bamberg, Nuremberg and Frankfurt am Main. Today cars no longer cross it; the bridge belongs to walkers, cyclists and anyone who enjoys timber craft, river light and a good story of survival.

History

The first bridge here was built in 1364 after Emperor Charles IV granted Ostrov nad Ohří the right to collect customs duties from goods travelling along the important trade route. The crossing stood on an older ford, and tradition connects the place with the entry of King John of Luxembourg into Bohemia.

Fire, war, ice and rebuilding shaped the bridge repeatedly. It burned in 1576, was repaired several times in the 18th century, suffered damage during the wars of the Austrian Succession and the Napoleonic era, and was completely renewed in the late 20th century. A devastating fire on 18 July 1986 destroyed the wooden structure again, leaving only the stone piers.

A public restoration effort began in the 1990s. The reconstructed bridge opened on 17 October 2003 and was consecrated on Christmas Day the same year. The careful rebuild won Bridge of the Year in 2003 and the Karlovy Vary Region Building of the Year award in 2004.

What You Will See

Walking through the bridge feels like entering a timber tunnel above the river. Oak beams, a shingle roof and side openings frame views of the Ohře. The massive stone piers date from the 18th century and survived the 1986 fire; the wooden superstructure follows traditional carpentry methods and historical details.

The bridge is a natural stop on cycling and walking routes along the Ohře. It also pairs well with Kyselka, the nearby spa village connected with Mattoni mineral water heritage.

Practical Information

• Admission: free
• Access: year-round, for pedestrians and cyclists
• Cars: no regular road traffic over the bridge
• Best combined with: Kyselka, the Mattoni Trail and a walk along the Ohře River valley

Directions and Contacts

• Website: obeckyselka.cz/most-radosov
• Address: Radošov, 362 72 Kyselka
• GPS: 50.275719, 12.994665
• Municipality: Obec Kyselka, Radošov 118, 362 72 Kyselka
• Phone: +420 353 941 127