Charles Bridge

Charles Bridge

Introduction

Built in 1357, Charles Bridge is the most artistically valuable stone bridge of the 14th century. Spanning the Vltava River, it is 520 meters long and 10 meters wide, with 16 pillars. The bridge connects Prague Castle and the Old Town, and has historically been the ceremonial route for the coronation of Czech kings. On the bridge, visitors can enjoy performances by artists and various handicraft demonstrations, making it a showcase for Prague’s art scene. A variety of artworks are also available for purchase on the bridge, including watercolor paintings of Charles Bridge, as well as puppets dressed in traditional Czech and court attire.

This oldest and longest bridge in Europe is adorned with 30 statues of saints, all masterpieces created by Baroque artists from the 17th to 18th centuries in the Czech Republic. It is referred to by Europeans as the “Open-Air Baroque Sculpture Gallery of Europe.” The originals are now preserved in museums, and most have been replaced with replicas. It is said that touching the stone statues with sincerity will bring lifelong happiness, and some parts of a bronze statue on the bridge have been polished to a shine by visitors. Among them, the 8th statue on the right side of the bridge, the statue of St. John of Nepomuk, is the guardian of Charles Bridge. The spot where a golden cross is engraved on the railing marks the location from which St. John was thrown off the bridge to his death. Transportation: Walk from Old Town Square, pass through Golden Lane, and the first bridge you come to along the descending Vltava River is Charles Bridge.

Address: Karluv Most

Phone: (02)57531088

Czech Republic, Prague