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Charles Bridge

The Emblematic Bridge with Statues

The Charles Bridge, built in 1357, lies over the Vltava River in Prague and is an important link between Prague's Old Town and the Lesser Town. The 516-meter-long Charles Bridge features 30 group of statues from 17th to 18th century, with Gothic bridge towers at each end.

The Charles Bridge (Karlův most) was built in 1357 on the orders of King Charles IV, hence its name. The Charles Bridge is a 516-meter-long Stone Bridge that lies over the Vltava (Moldau) River in Prague, with the eastern bank belonging to the Old Town of Prague (Staré Město pražské) area and the western bank to the Lesser Town of Prague (Malá Strana) area.

During the 17th and 18th centuries, Charles Bridge was erected with 30 Groups of Baroque-style Statues of Saints, mostly by famous local sculptors, supposedly modelled on Ponte Sant'Angelo in Rome. The most famous of these is the statue of St. John of Nepomuk, the Catholic saint who was martyred in 1393 after being pushed off Charles Bridge for refusing to betray the seal of confession.

St. John of Nepomuk

The bridge was built on 16 Boat-shaped Piers, the sharp edge of which effectively minimize the water impact.

The Old Town Bridge Tower at the eastern entrance to the Charles Bridge, built at the same time as the bridge, is a classic Gothic structure. The exterior of the bridge tower is decorated with five statues, including Charles IV, coat of arms and other decorations. On the other side of the bridge, the Lesser Town Bridge Tower consists of two towers, with gates between them and a historical exhibition inside the taller one. As the Charles Bridge was an important and strategic link between the Old Town and the Lesser Town, the towers at each end of the bridge were also used as gateway passes.

Manywhere Trivia:
When the Charles Bridge was built, tens of thousands of eggs were mixed into the mortar to make it stronger.

Whether you’re going from Old Town to Prague Castle, or the other way around aiming for Old Town Square, the Charles Bridge is always part of your route. Walking across the bridge, every few steps you’ll encounter a Street Artist who makes a living by selling their artworks or painting portraits of tourists on-site. If interested, you can sit down and create your own memories here.