Charles Bridge, Prague

The Charles Bridge, or Karluv most, was built over the Vltava River, in 1357, although there was an earlier bridge which collapsed during a flood. Considering the weight of tourists it has to bear, it's surprising this one hasn't collapsed too! Part of it did fall into the river in 1890, but the basic structure is built of solid stone.

The bridge, which is 520m long and 9m wide, was named after the Czech king, Charles IV.

At the entrance to it is the impressive Old Town Bridge Tower, which was added in 1373. The thirty statues which line the sides of the bridge were added much later, in the seventeenth century.

Even more recent additions are the vendors, artists and buskers who make their living off the thousands of tourists wending there way from the Old Town to the Castle and back.

4 more images

The Charles bridge : Gothic architecture and Baroque sculpture combined in the Charles Bridge, which arches over the river Vltava (Moldau in the German language) in Prague's "Lesser Quarter."
The bridge is 516 meters long and 9 1/2 meters wide. Popular for tourists and a market place for street artists selling their products for a rather expensive price. The bridge offers scenic views on the river and the many buildings and other bridges of Prague.
Rows of Baroque statues were only added during the 18th century.
Picture 5 : The part of the bridge, next to the only bronze statue, in 1393, St John of Nepumuk was thrown (bound hand and foot) into the river

4 more images

Called Karlov Most- is the most famous in Prague and the region. It was constructed in 1357 by Charles IV, a Bohemian king and Emperor of Rome. It was the only connecting bridge to both side for 400 years. The towers on the Mala Strana side date before 1357. The statues were mostly put up in early 1700's. The originals are housed in Letna Park to preserve the old sandstone idols. There are 30 statues. It linked the old town to the Prague castle on the other side on the hill. The wood pilings at the base protect against ice flows on the pillars during winter.

..............on Charles Bridge, because some of them have fascinating details, which are easy to miss.

There are 30 on the bridge itself, a couple more dotted around (such as the one of Roland with his magic sword; you'll have to look over the edge to see that one). None of the statues are, to my mind, particularly stunning pieces of sculpture but, nevertheless, there are lots of interesting little bits and pieces.

Look for the bored Turkish jailor, and his despairing prisoners (see photo). Find the incredibly worried demon (one of 40 cast out by this particular saint), the cherubs fiddling around with various holy articles, the lion about to eat the foot of St Vitus (who was martyred in a Roman amphitheatre), the saint's pet stag, the Moors who were 'converted, St Ludmilla holding the veil with which she was strangled..........

A bit more detail (and some more photos) in my travelogue on http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/tt/989aa/#TL

2 more images

Get your portrait drawn by one of the artists there, buy small souvenirs, admire the statues and the beauty of Prague or look at people walk by while going from one side of the city to the other. Don't forget to go up to one of its towers for a great view.

1 more image

Everyone does it. You can see why, between the statues etc on the bridge, the river views from it, and the vistas of the rest of the city.
I think everyone also knows it gets totally overcrowded! Go 1st thing in the morning!

4 more images

Connecting Stare Mesto to Hradcany is the over 600-year-old Charles Bridge. There are hundreds of statues of saints lining the bridge. Ok, ok, maybe 20 to 30 statues. Some of the tourists on that bridge looked like statues.

Charles Bridge was founded by King Charles IV in 1357 and it replaced the former Romanesque bridge destroyed by flood in 1342. As it was the only bridge crossing the river in Prague, it used to be the most important connection between Old town and Prague castle until 1841.

Today it's one of the most popular sights in Prague and always packed with tourists.

Charles bridge is 516 m long and approx. 10 m wide. There are three bridge towers, two at the lesser town side and the third one on the Old town side. The bridge is decorated by a continuous alley of statues, most of them baroque-style.