Prague Castle and Charles Bridge

Charles Bridge or Karls bridge, is the most famous and beautiful monument in Prague and connects Staré Mesto with Malá Strana. It is 520m long and was built in sandstone.

The Gothic Charles Bridge is easily the most recognizable sight in the beautiful city of Prague.

Legend has it that the builders added eggs to the foundation in order to make it stronger. After an extensive cleaning and restoration this year, the rumor is said to be true as experts indeed found traces of eggs in the many layers of materials. Strange superstitions abound, the construction of the Gothic bridge started in 1357; it is said that Charles IVs astronomers commenced at the lucky time of 5:31 on the 9th of July in 1357 (a sequence of odd ascending and descending numbers). The bridge was completed in the 15th century. In the 1700s Baroque sculptures and statues were lined across the bridge on both sides, giving it the appearance we see today, although the original pieces of sculpture have been replaced by replicas and are currently housed and protected in the Lapidarium of the National Gallery. The building of Charles Bridge, originally named the Stone Bridge, was important for trade routes between west and east Europe, and was for a long time, the only way to reach Old Town from Hradcany and vice versa. Three massive towers, two guarding the Mala Strana side and one grand tower on the side of Old Town, protect the bridge; it is this latter tower that is considered one of the finest examples of civil Gothic architecture in Europe. Charles Bridge is flooded with tourists, musicians and art kiosks during the day, if you wish to explore and investigate the bridge on your own, it is best to go early in the morning or later in the evening when it is at its most magical and mystical.

Another Castle View from Charles Bridge
"Everyday, thousands of tourists swarm to Charles Bridge to have a piece of the oldest masonry bridge in the Eastern Europe. Therefore, the bridge turns into a bustling bazaar full of life since daybreak."

Statue of *Saints Norbert, Wenceslas, and Sigismund on Charles Bridge, *Saints Dominic and Thomas on Charles Bridge

Statue of *St. Augustine on Charles Bridge, *St. Anthony on Charles Bridge, *St. John of Nepomuk on Charles Bridge

Statue of *St. Anne on Charles Bridge, *St. John the Baptist on Charles Bridge, *the Virgin Mary on Charles Bridge

Statue of  *St. Ludmilla, *Saints Cyril and Methodius on Charles Bridge, *St. Ivo of Kermartin

*The statue of Karl IV (or Charles IV), the king that the bridge is named after. It is situated close to the east gate in the old town.

*Statue of the Crucifixion on Charles Bridge

*Charles Bridge Tower Prague