A wooden „Grodziny“ bridge, a magnificent masterpiece 90 metres long, was built across the Topľa River in the first third of the 19th century. The bridge was destroyed towards the end of the Second World War. And this is where the story of the largest arch in Central Europe begins.
The longest railway bridge
Hanušovský viaduct It is the longest arched railway bridge (390 m long) in Central Europe. It consists of one arched opening and nine openings with steel truss construction. It was built as part of the fifty-kilometre line from Prešov to Strážske and formed part of four railway viaducts with a total length of 946.92 metres.
At a height of 40 metres
Hanušovský ViaductThe bridge is constructed from nine steel truss bridge structures and concrete piers clad in course masonry. The bridge decks were once lined with oak planks, which were later replaced by corrugated steel sheets. The track runs on a viaduct above ground level at the highest height of 40 m. The railway gradient rises at 10 ‰ and the foundations of the piers are said to be as deep as the height of the piers above ground. There are four further bridge structures within the town’s cadastral area. One spans the „Hrabovec“ valley, another is situated immediately beyond the railway station in the „Hlibovec“ valley, and the others are located between the Bystré halt and the Pavlovce marshalling yard; all of them are classified as national cultural monuments.
Source: OOCR RŠ
Source of photographs: OOCR RŠ
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Information
The Hanušovce Viaduct is situated right in Hanušovce nad Topľou, above the valley of the Hanušovce Stream. The easiest way to find it is to head to Hanušovce nad Topľou railway station and from there continue on foot towards the tall steel bridge structure. It is about a 15- to 25-minute walk from the town centre. The viaduct is clearly visible from several streets in the town.
Tourists are not permitted to walk across the viaduct. It forms part of the operational railway line between Kapušany and Strážske, and trains run along it. Entering the track area and the railway structure is dangerous and prohibited. You can safely view and photograph it from below, from the surrounding roads and footpaths, without stepping onto the tracks or entering the railway safety zone.
