From the middle of the bridge

As well as a singletrack railway line there is a public footpath across this bridge. From here there are fantastic views of the river Vltava and the extraordinary, transport dominated, soundscape is extremely loud. The spectacular valley geography concentrates all the major transport systems – road, rail and tram – into this one bottleneck so they all run close to and parallel with the river. The roads are continuously busy creating a constant roar of traffic that fills the valley with sound. It seems even louder high up, as on this bridge or from the surrounding hillsides. In fact, when standing mid bridge one hears almost nothing but the immersive traffic, except when planes thunder directly above to land at Prague airport or when occasional trains power past only two meters from your ears. The contrast between the expansive views and the overwhelming soundscape is extreme. In former times Braník Bridge was known as the Bridge of the Intelligentsia. After the start of communist rule in 1948 intellectuals were forced to work as labourers. Many from Prague did so on this bridge, giving rise to its unofficial name. Humans are not the only animals to use this bridge. Wild boar are seen here too. Sadly, we found one that had not survived being hit by a passing train.