It connects the Aleš Embankment and Rudolfinum to the Lesser Quarter (Malá Strana) and replaced the previous Rudolf footbridge built in 1869.

The bridge is named after the Czech painter Josef Mánes.

[1] The new bridge was designed by architect Mečislav Petrů and engineers František Mencl and Alois Nový.

Built of concrete and supported on four segmental arches, the bridge was opened in 1914 but not fully completed until 1916.

However, the asphalting caused various problems, and it was removed during reconstruction work between 1992 and 1994.