Bridge of St. Gotthard |

Description of the attraction

To the west of the village of Leles is the historical monument of the Gotthard Bridge, which dates back to the 14th century. In the past, this Gothic stone bridge bridged one of the branches of the Tisa River, today it only passes over its dried-up branch overgrown with lush greenery. It is believed to be the oldest bridge in Slovakia. The St. Gotthard Bridge, in its heyday, was part of the approximately 17-kilometer link between Kráľovský Chlmec and Veľký Kapušany. However, it was named only in the 19th century. At that time, the Lele Monastery was taken over by Premonstratensians from Bohemia. They brought with them the cult of St. John of Nepomuck and St. Gotthard. His statue stood by the bridge until 1848. This rare cultural monument is up to 70 meters long and 5 meters wide. It was made of schist andesite, which was mined in local quarries in Chlmecké pahorky. The St. Gotthard Arch Bridge is closed to road traffic to protect its condition, you can only see it on foot. The route is easy, you can go on it even with smaller children.