In search of the essence of romance... "THE CHARLES BRIDGE"

Having designed in the King Charles IV reign, the Charles Bridge is a well-known historic bridge that crosses the Vltava River in Prague, Czech Republic. The Charles Bridge will never close down to mesmerize the art lovers who pay honour to it in their works. While the day's first rays of sunlight touch the cold cobblestones and illuminate the monumental Gothic towers at both of its ends, you would be hard put to find a more romantic location.

With the powerful silhouette of Prague Castle in the background and the gallery of Baroque statues on both sides, it is no wonder that this is one of the most beautiful places in Europe. The best way to enjoy one of the most beautiful medieval bridges in the world is to set out for the Charles Bridge at dawn of the day. You will get to know the true sense of this Gothic gem which has joined the two banks of the Vltava for more than 650 years.

The bridge is 621 meters in length & standing on 16 arches fortified by ice guards. It is nearly 10 meters wide. The bridge has an average width of ten meters.

The Bridge Towers

Either end of the bridge has bridge towers, two towers on the Lesser Quarter side and the other one on the Old Town side. It is considered that the Old Town bridge tower is one of the most amazing civil gothic-style buildings in the world. You can step onto the Charles Bridge from the Old Town or Lesser Quarter side. Don't forget to climb the bridge towers; you can see the whole length of the bridge as well as panoramic view of Prague, the city of a hundred spires.

Baroque sculptures on the bridge

The bridge is ornamented by a continuous passage of 30 statues and statues which follows mostly the baroque style. The statues are situated on the railing forms a unique connection of artistic styles with the underlying gothic bridge. Most of them were erected between 1683 and 1714. They portray various saints and patron saints adored at that time.

The well-known Bohemian sculptors of the time which decorated the bridge include, Matthias Braun, Jan Brokoff, & his sons, Michael Joseph and Ferdinand Maxmilian. The most notable sculptures are the statuaries of St. Luthgard, the Holy Crucifix and Calvary, and John of Nepomuk Among them the statue of St. John of Nepomuk may be the most popular one. St. John was a Czech martyr saint who was executed during the reign of Wenceslas IV by being thrown into the Vltava from the bridge. 

Over centuries the plaque on the statues has been touched by countless people. It is believed that touching the statue brings people good luck and ensures their return to Prague. However many of the statues are now replicated but, you can see the originals in the lapidarium of the National Museum.

The Predecessor: Judith Bridge

Before the Charles Bridge was constructed there was another bridge called ‘’the Judith Bridge" which connected the Prague banks of the Vltava River. Unfortunately it collapsed in a flood in 1342. Not like the Judith Bridge, the Charles Bridge has survived many floods even when the worst flood that the country experienced during 2002. The Charles Bridge was originally known as the Stone Bridge or the Prague Bridge but has been the 'Charles Bridge' since 1870.