Červený most: the red railway bridge above Mlynská dolina
Červený most (the Red Bridge) is a railway bridge in Bratislava that crosses the valley of Mlynská dolina, a short way from the Železná studienka stop. It is easy to spot by its bright red paint, and it carries the line that brought the first steam train from Vienna to the city in 1848. A favourite for curious walkers and photographers looking for hidden gems in Bratislava.
This bridge was named after its red bricks, lost them when it was blown up in April 1945, and was rebuilt in steel. The new span was painted red, so the name stuck.
The history of Červený most
The first bridge was built between 1845 and 1848 as part of the Hungarian Central Railway, the line running from Gänserndorf through Marchegg to Bratislava. It is the largest railway bridge on the oldest steam-powered railway in Slovakia, and its chief engineer was Jozef Bayer. The original single-track bridge consisted of nine semicircular brick arches of a strong red colour, which gave the Red Bridge its name. The first arch, on the Lamač side, spanned 10.7 metres and carried the line over the road to Železná studnička, while the remaining eight, each 15.85 metres wide, crossed the valley.
On 20 August 1848 the first train from Vienna, pulled by a steam locomotive, reached Bratislava along this line, which connected the city to the growing railway network of Europe. The bridge, 215 metres long and 17 metres high, was made double-track in 1881. A further large reconstruction took place in 1935 under the supervision of the Czechoslovak State Railways, when the masonry was repaired and the arches strengthened with a shell of reinforced concrete.
The Second World War ended this bridge. On 4 April 1945 the retreating German army blew it up, and only the torso of the outermost support on the Bratislava side survived. Immediately after the war the people of Bratislava, with the help of the Red Army, built a temporary single-track wooden bridge on the spot in just seven days, so that trains could run again.
The bridge seen today was built between 1946 and 1948 to a design by Dr Ing. Arpád Tesár of the bridge group at the State Railways directorate in Bratislava. Its piers are made of reinforced concrete with a stone cladding, and the steel structure, weighing 1,122 tonnes, was made and assembled on site by the bridge workshop of the Škoda Works in Plzeň. Reflecting the original name, the new bridge was painted bright red. It carries the city road, a footpath and cycle path, and the Vydrica stream with its valley beneath it, and since 29 April 1986 it has been on the list of protected technical monuments.
Curiosities about Červený most
- The original bridge had nine semicircular arches of red brick, and the name Red Bridge came from their colour. Today's steel bridge is painted red to match.
- After the demolition of April 1945, the people of Bratislava, helped by the Red Army, built a temporary wooden bridge in only seven days.
- The steel structure weighs 1,122 tonnes and was made and assembled on site by the bridge workshop of the Škoda Works in Plzeň.
- The first train from Vienna, pulled by a steam locomotive, arrived in Bratislava on 20 August 1848 on the line this bridge belongs to.
- The bridge is 215 metres long and 17 metres high in its original brick form, and it is the largest railway bridge on the oldest steam railway in Slovakia.
- Only the torso of the outermost support on the Bratislava side survived the demolition of 1945.
Tours near Červený most
Experiences in the area that you can book online with Viator:
Visiting Červený most
- The bridge crosses a city road, a footpath and cycle path, and the Vydrica stream, so it is best seen from the valley below, where its red steel and stone-clad piers stand out against the green slopes.
- The Bratislava-Železná studienka railway stop is right next to the bridge, on the Bratislava–Marchegg line.
- It is a working railway bridge, so enjoy it from the paths in the valley rather than from the track.
- Near the bridge on this site are the Chapel of Saint Rozália and the Kamzík TV Tower (both about 2 km away), and Aspremont Palace and the Clarissine Church (about 4 km).
- The surroundings are a green part of Bratislava, so wear comfortable shoes if you plan to walk in Mlynská dolina.
Opening hours, access and conditions can change. Check before you go.
Map: where Červený most is
Photos of Červený most
Questions
Where is Červený most and how do you get there?
Červený most spans the valley of Mlynská dolina in the north-west of Bratislava. The Bratislava-Železná studienka railway stop on the Bratislava–Marchegg line is next to it.
Why is Červený most called the Red Bridge?
The first bridge, built in 1845–1848, had nine arches of red brick. After the bridge was destroyed in 1945, the new steel bridge was painted red in keeping with its old name.
How old is Červený most?
The first bridge was built between 1845 and 1848. The bridge standing today was built between 1946 and 1948.
What happened to the bridge in 1945?
The retreating German army blew it up on 4 April 1945. A temporary wooden bridge was put up within seven days, and the present steel bridge followed in 1946–1948.
How big is Červený most?
The original brick bridge was 215 metres long and 17 metres high. The present steel structure weighs 1,122 tonnes.
Is Červený most a protected monument?
Yes. Since 29 April 1986 it has been on the list of protected technical monuments.
Also nearby
Kamzík TV Tower
Bratislava · Slovakia's tallest tower, a 1975 steel and concrete icon
2 km away
Chapel of Saint Rozália
Lamač, Bratislava · Baroque chapel built after the plague
2.5 km away
Summer Archbishop's Palace
Bratislava · archbishops' summer seat that now houses the government
3.5 km away
Michael's Gate
Bratislava · the only surviving gate of the old city walls
4 km away