Palace & modernBratislava & Western Slovakia

Kolonádový most in Piešťany: the covered Colonnade Bridge

Kolonádový most (the Colonnade Bridge, also called Sklený most, the Glass Bridge) crosses the Váh river in Piešťany and links the town with Spa Island. Designed by Emil Belluš and built in 1930–1933, this covered pedestrian bridge is the longest of its kind in Slovakia and a peak of Slovak functionalist architecture, a rewarding stop for anyone looking for things to see in Piešťany.

A spa bridge meant to keep guests dry became Slovakia's longest covered bridge, and its etched glass was saved from destruction in 1945 at the risk of one man's life.

WherePiešťany, western Slovakia; over the Váh river, between the town and Spa Island

TypeCovered reinforced-concrete pedestrian bridge in functionalist style, built 1930–1933

Best forArchitecture lovers, spa-town strollers and photographers

Getting thereIn the centre of Piešťany; the bridge connects the town with the Spa Island and the start of the spa park

The history of the Colonnade Bridge in Piešťany

The idea for the bridge came from Ľudovít Winter, the lessee of the Piešťany spa. He wanted a bridge with a narrow carriageway and covered walkways with shops that would shelter spa guests from bad weather. The new reinforced-concrete bridge replaced an old wooden bridge linking the town with Spa Island. The first design had two tunnels at the sides and a carriageway in the middle, but Winter rejected it because the tunnels would be draughty and people would not see each other. On the recommendation of an engineer named Liewald, he turned to the young Slovak architect Emil Belluš, then about thirty, who solved the superstructure with the help of Winter's comments. The lower part was designed by the Swiss engineer Schwartz.

The bridge was built in 1930–1933 by the firm Pittel and Brausewetter. It has seven spans, 3 × 20 + 28 + 3 × 20 metres, and is roughly 150 metres long. The middle span of 28 metres leaves room for ships of the future, and the piers are shaped as ice breakers. The covered pedestrian part is separated from the traffic lane by a glass wall with kiosks at the ends of the bridge, and at first cars crossed it too. Its position is unusual: Belluš followed the axis of the old spa on the island, so the bridge opens at the start of the spa park rather than in line with the main street of the town.

Art is part of the design. In the year of completion the glass wall received etchings by the painter Martin Benka, titled Songs of Detva and At the Sheepcote, each made of four panels and etched in a school in Prague. The historian Daniel Rapant proposed the Latin inscriptions: on the town side Saluberrimae Pistinienses Thermae, the title of a Latin poem by Adam Trajan from 1642, and on the island side Surge et ambula, Get up and walk, from the Gospel of Matthew, the healing of the paralysed man. At the town end stands the bronze Crutch Breaker by the sculptor Robert Kühmayer, cast in Prague by Barták, which became the symbol of the spa.

On 2 April 1945 retreating German troops blew up a large part of the bridge. The middle spans and both piers were demolished, and the roof and the glass wall were badly damaged. The glass etchings were saved by the spa's technical manager Filip Hanic, at the risk of his own life. Reconstruction according to the original design began in April 1955, and the bridge was opened again on 30 December 1956, when the etchings were reinstalled.

In 1993 the town council decided to have copies of the endangered etchings made. They were created by Eva Potfajová and placed on the bridge in 1994, while the originals went to the depository of the Balneological Museum and later to the Town Library. In 2009 they were declared movable heritage of the town. The bridge itself is a national cultural monument. After a renovation between 2019 and 2021 it reopened in July 2021, and its interior now holds the town's information centre and a municipal gallery instead of shops.

Curiosities about the Colonnade Bridge

It is the longest covered bridge in Slovakia, and the locals also call it the Glass Bridge.
The motto Surge et ambula, Get up and walk, comes from the Gospel of Matthew and symbolises the healing power of the spa.
The other inscription, Saluberrimae Pistinienses Thermae, is the title of a Latin poem written by Adam Trajan in 1642.
The glass etchings by Martin Benka were saved in 1945 by Filip Hanic at the risk of his own life; the ones on the bridge today are copies from 1994.
The bronze Crutch Breaker at the town entrance by Robert Kühmayer is the symbol of the Piešťany spa.
The first design with two side tunnels was rejected by Ľudovít Winter because he feared draughts and wanted people to see each other as they walked.

Tours near Kolonádový most

Experiences in the area that you can book online with Viator:

5-Course Small-Group Bratislava Food Tour with Local Guide

★ 5 (47 reviews) · 3.5 h

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Military Guns Shooting Experience with GunMates Bratislava

★ 5 (44 reviews) · 2 h

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Bratislava Off the Beaten Path Tour - recommended also by Rick Steves

★ 5 (36 reviews) · 2 h

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Private Day Trip to Banska Stiavnica Unesco Site

★ 5 (32 reviews) · 10 h

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Visiting the Colonnade Bridge

Walk the covered promenade from the town to Spa Island; the bridge is pedestrian only today and is also the starting point of several marked hiking trails.
Look for the etched glass copies, the Latin inscriptions at both entrances and the bronze Crutch Breaker at the town end.
After the renovation of 2019–2021 the interior holds the town's information centre and a city gallery; check the current opening hours before you go.
The bridge ends at the beginning of the spa park, so it fits naturally into a walk around Spa Island.
Other places on this site near Piešťany include the Church of Stephen I of Hungary (about 2 km), Tematín (about 12 km), Čachtice Castle (about 16 km) and Leopoldov Prison (about 17 km).

Opening hours, access and conditions can change. Check before you go.

Map: where Kolonádový most is

Photos of Kolonádový most

Questions

Where is Kolonádový most and why is it famous?

It crosses the Váh river in Piešťany and links the town with Spa Island. It is famous as the longest covered bridge in Slovakia and a highlight of Slovak functionalist architecture.

Who designed the Colonnade Bridge in Piešťany?

The architect was Emil Belluš, who worked in 1930–1933 on a commission from the spa lessee Ľudovít Winter. The glass etchings are by Martin Benka.

How long is the Colonnade Bridge?

It is roughly 150 metres long, with seven spans. Sources give slightly different figures, from 148 to 156 metres.

What do the Latin inscriptions on the bridge mean?

Saluberrimae Pistinienses Thermae means The healing Piešťany spa, and Surge et ambula means Get up and walk. Both refer to the healing power of the spa.

What happened to the bridge in 1945?

Retreating German troops blew up a large part of it on 2 April 1945. It was rebuilt according to the original design and reopened on 30 December 1956.

Can you walk across the Colonnade Bridge today?

Yes, it is a pedestrian bridge. After the renovation of 2019–2021 it also houses the town's information centre and a city gallery.