From the Negrelli Viaduct to the New Masaryk Station: Discovering Timeless and Trendy Railway Treasures

For instance, the well-known Negrelli Viaduct located in Prague was considered a remarkable engineering achievement both in the year 1850, when it saw its first train, and in the year 2020, when it underwent its renovation. It is important to note that this renovation marked the first significant update in its long history: the bridge had endured 160 years of use without any major repairs. Its creator, Alois Negrelli (1799–1858), would surely have been amazed by its condition and longevity.

Negrelli Viaduct: a bridge that has spanned from the 19th century into the 21st

If it weren’t for the iconic Charles Bridge, the Negrelli Viaduct would hold the title of the oldest bridge in Prague. However, its remarkable status in railway history cannot be overlooked: it was Prague’s first railway bridge over the Vltava River, and it continues to be the longest railway bridge in the entire country. Designed by Alois Negrelli, an Austrian engineer with Italian roots, and his Czech counterpart Jan Perner, this bridge was essential for the railway line going from Vienna through Prague to Děčín. When the bridge was being built, the Vltava River had not yet been controlled, making this bridge a remarkable structure that stretched 1,111 meters with 87 arches. It’s noteworthy that this bridge successfully endured major floods in the years 1865, 1890, and 2002 without facing significant issues or disruptions to its function. Negrelli designed it relying on his experiences from the flood of 1845.

A treasured historical site and its recent restoration

The recent renovation has significantly enhanced the structural integrity of the Negrelli Viaduct. Older mechanical safety systems have been upgraded to modern electronic alternatives, and new anti-vibration mats and advanced rail switches have been introduced. As a result, noise levels have decreased, and the overall safety of the viaduct has improved. Additionally, new areas have been created for cultural activities beneath its arches, re-establishing this remarkable cultural and engineering monument into the vibrant social fabric of the Karlín district.

The viaduct was unnamed for quite some time and has only carried Negrelli’s name since the mid-20th century. Interestingly, it’s not his most prominent work; that title goes to the Suez Canal. Sadly, Negrelli passed away just under a year before construction began on it. If you’ve visited Greece, you might have seen another one of his famous creations: he was also responsible for constructing the Corinth Canal connecting the Aegean Sea to the Ionian Sea.

Masaryk Station

Originally known as Prague until 1862, it then became Prague State Station and has carried the name Prague – Masaryk Station since 1919. These name changes reflect the station’s identity as the end point of the railway line from Olomouc to Prague. While the name has evolved, the Empire-style building, featuring aspects of Neo-Renaissance and Classicism, has fortunately largely remained the same throughout the years. Today, Masaryk Station stands as the oldest and most extensive collection of historical railway buildings in the Czech Republic, and it is indeed the oldest continuously running terminus in Europe. Interestingly, though, it is not the oldest railway station building in Prague; that honor goes to Prague-Dejvice Station, which was constructed in 1830.

The evolution of Masaryk Station and the upcoming Railway Museum

By the time the Negrelli Viaduct was completed, Masaryk Station had already begun serving passengers for several years, having opened its doors in August 1845. Over the years, it has come close to shutting down on multiple occasions, but recent revitalization efforts have breathed new life into it. The first residential buildings began to emerge around the area, designed by the famous British architect of Iraqi descent Zaha Hadid (1950–2016). The initial phase of transforming the vicinity of Masaryk Station wrapped up in 2023. The Masaryčka project aims to create a modern commercial district around Masaryk Station, linking it to nearby neighborhoods. In the next stages of development, further land behind the motorway bridge in Karlín and adjacent to it will be gradually improved. For those who appreciate technical heritage, there’s an exciting addition on the way: a new Museum of Railways and Electrical Engineering is set to open in the historic former depot, dating back to the mid-19th century. It is predicted this museum will welcome visitors in 2028.

Railway Highlights

The Czech railway network spans almost 9,500 kilometers, making it one of the most densely populated networks in Europe. It includes about 2,800 stations and stops, allowing railway fans to enjoy numerous unique technical marvels.

Looking for ideas for your next trip? Consider taking a train ride to Kubova Huť, the Czech Republic’s highest railway station, or follow the path of the oldest railway line in the country—the horse-drawn rail from České Budějovice to Linz. You can also check out the world’s shortest international railway in Nové Údolí located in the Šumava Mountains. In Lužná u Rakovníka, you’ll find the Czech Railways Museum, the largest railway museum in the country. We even know about the youngest railway junction in the country, the largest freight station in the nation, and the highest stone railway bridge not only in the Czech Republic but likely in all of Europe: the Žampach viaduct can take that title.

Prague Main Station is also notable for its interesting records and significant transformations. Not only is it the largest passenger railway station in the Czech Republic, handling nearly 100,000 passengers daily, but it is also one of the most elegant examples of Art Nouveau architecture in the city. The historic building and its hall above the tracks are, in fact, regarded as the largest Art Nouveau monument in the Czech Republic. Railway services began here on December 14, 1871, and the station has been operational nearly uninterrupted since then, including through various renovations and restorations. The highlight of the building is the original ticket hall, complete with a dome decorated with period motifs as well as sculptures by Stanislav Sucharda and Ladislav Šaloun, now known as Fant’s Café, along with other prestigious areas that are also undergoing restoration to return to their original historical styles.

Tunnels: from historical treasures to modern engineering marvels

Fascinating stories surround the railway tunnels as well. One of the most recent and substantial structures in the Czech railway system can be found on the outskirts of Plzeň. This is the Ejpovice Tunnel, which measures 4,150 meters in length, making it the longest tunnel in the country. Work began in 2013, and it officially opened for regular passenger service in December 2018. Prior to this, the longest railway tunnel was the one under Špičák on the route between Plzeň and Železná Ruda, which spans 1,747 meters and saw its first train run through it on October 20, 1877.

The Ejpovice Tunnel will soon lose its record; in the near future, it will be surpassed by the 4.8 km long Chotýčany Tunnel on the line connecting Prague and České Budějovice. Once all the bridges and tunnels along this route are finished around 2029, it will become double-tracked and electrified, cutting the travel time between the capital city and the South Bohemian capital to just 1.5 hours. A year before that, the 3.5 km-long tunnel under Václav Havel Airport Prague, which includes an underground station, is expected to be completed. Moreover, the 5 km-long Oucmanice tunnel will add to the infrastructure; however, the title of the longest domestic tunnels will belong to the pair of single-track Tachlovice tunnels. Once completed, the journey from Beroun to Smíchov should take just 13 minutes!