Most SNP

Most SNP[1] ("Bridge of the Slovak National Uprising"), commonly referred to as Most Slovenského národného povstania or the UFO Bridge, and named Nový most ("New Bridge") from 1993 to 2012, is a road bridge over the Danube in Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia. It is the world's longest bridge to have one pylon and one cable-stayed plane.

Most SNP
Most SNP as seen from Bratislava Castle
Coordinates48.1384°N 17.104581°E / 48.1384; 17.104581 (Nový Most)
CrossesDanube
LocaleBratislava
Official nameMost Slovenského národného povstania
Characteristics
Designasymmetric, double-decked cable stayed bridge
Total length430.8 metres (1,413 ft)
Width21.0 metres (68.9 ft)
Height84.60 metres (277.6 ft) (pylon)
Longest span303 metres (994 ft)
History
Construction start1967
Construction end1972
OpenedAugust 26, 1972
Location

Most SNP is an asymmetrical cable-stayed bridge with a main span length of 303 m (994 ft), a total length of 430.8 m (1,413 ft), a width of 21 m (69 ft), and a weight of 537 t (592 short tons). Its steel construction is suspended from steel cables, connected on the Petržalka side to two pillars. There are four lanes for motor traffic on the upper level and lanes for bicycles and pedestrians on the lower level. It is a member of The World Federation of Great Towers.[2]

History

Since its construction in 1972 the bridge was called Most SNP ("Bridge of the Slovak National Uprising"), although locally it was simply called the New Bridge, being the second bridge to be built in the city over the river Danube. In 1993, its name was officially changed by Bratislava City Council to Nový Most ("New Bridge") to reflect general usage. However, another three bridges have been constructed since its opening, and so in 2012 the City Council voted to change the bridge's name back to Most SNP. The change took effect on 29 August 2012, the 68th anniversary of the Slovak National Uprising.[3]

The bridge was built between 1967 and 1972 under a project managed by A. Tesár, J. Lacko and I. Slameň.[4] It officially opened on August 26, 1972. A significant section of the Old Town below Bratislava Castle, which included nearly all of the Jewish quarter, was demolished to create the roadway that led to it.[5] On the other hand, the bridge improved access between Petržalka and the rest of the city. Parts of the historic city walls were unearthed during construction.

Restaurant and observation deck

A special attraction is the flying saucer-shaped structure atop the bridge's 84.6 m (278 ft) pylon, housing an observation deck and a restaurant, which since 2005 has been called UFO (previously, Bystrica). The restaurant serves both traditional Slovak and international cuisine, describing its cuisine as "Mediterasian".[6] It received the Restaurant of the Year award in 2011.[7]

Both the restaurant and the observation deck offer panoramic views of Bratislava. They are reached using lifts located in the east pillar, accessed from the walking and cycling paths on either side of the bridge. Access to the lifts normally costs €7.40 as of November 2017, but this fee is deducted from the bill for restaurant guests.

The west pillar of the bridge tower houses an emergency staircase with 430 steps.

  • View of the pylon and "UFO"
    View of the pylon and "UFO"
  • Close-up of the bridge's pylon and the "flying saucer" from below
    Close-up of the bridge's pylon and the "flying saucer" from below
  • Bratislava Castle and St. Martin's Cathedral, as seen from Most SNP
    Bratislava Castle and St. Martin's Cathedral, as seen from Most SNP
  • A daytime view of the restaurant's interior
    A daytime view of the restaurant's interior
  • The interior of the restaurant at night
    The interior of the restaurant at night
  • Panoramic view of the bridge at night
    Panoramic view of the bridge at night
  • View of the Bridge of the Slovak National Uprising and sunset in Bratislava
    View of the Bridge of the Slovak National Uprising and sunset in Bratislava
  • Panoramic view from Bratislava castle
    Panoramic view from Bratislava castle

See also

References
  1. "Všeobecne záväzné nariadenie hlavného mesta Slovenskej republiky Bratislavy č. 4/2012 z 29. marca 2012 o zmene názvu Nového mosta na Most SNP v hlavnom meste Slovenskej republiky Bratislave". Archived from the original on 2013-11-03. Retrieved 2017-09-10.
  2. "The World Federation of Great Towers".
  3. Tkáčiková, Lucia; Durdovanský, Michal (29 March 2012). "Bratislava will again have a 'SNP Bridge'". SME. Retrieved 2013-09-19.
  4. "Bratislava UFO classed one of the craziest places - Slovakia.travel".
  5. "The changing face of Bratislava". 21 March 2014.
  6. Savitie, Ilona: Suomalainen matkaopas: Slovakia, p. 64. ISBN 978-952-9715-63-3
  7. UFO fact sheet
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