Charles Bridge - Prague (Czech Republic)

The Charles Bridge which in the past, until approximately 1870, was called the Stone Bridge or the Prague Bridge crosses the Vltava river in Prague, Czech Republic. It is considered to be one of the most beautiful parts of the capital of Czech Republic connecting in the past the Old Town and the Prague Castle with the areas on the other side of the river. This connection played a significant part in the positioning of Prague as a trade route connecting Eastern and Western Europe. The bridge has a long and rich history, surviving natural disasters, most frequently flooding to witnessing the Thirty Years’ War in 1648 when the more violent clashes took place on the bridge.  Today the bridge is a pedestrian zone popular with Czech artists, musicians and street vendors who line the bridge entertaining the hoards of visitors who come to cross the bridge.

Construction started in 1357,  legends say that the foundation stone was set by King Charles IV on the 9^th of July 1357 at 5:31 a.m., the time chosen as it was believed to be a perfect constellation of the Sun and Saturn, the other legend says that the data is a system of all odd numbers: 1-3-5-7-9-7-5-3-1.

The  bridge is 516 meters long and 9.5 meters wide. Until 1741 it was the only bridge on the Vltava river, replacing its stone predecessor that was destroyed by flood. It is believed that to make the construction of the new bridge stronger, egg whites were added to plaster. In Baroque-style, the bridge was decorated with 30 statues of Saints and Patrons positioned on the balustrade. Some of these statues depict the statue of St. Ivo, statues of Saints Barbara, Margaret and Elizabeth, statue of St. Nicholas of Tolentino and also the statue of Madonna attending to St. Bernard. There is also the statue of the Crucifix and Calvary surrounded with golden Hebrew text which by some was perceived as offensive. One of the oldest and most famous is the statue of St. John of Nepomuk, it is believed that the saint was thrown from the bridge into the Vltava were he drowned. His plaque is polished to a shine by the legend that by touching it will bring you luck and guarantee your return to Prague. Although most of the statues are replicas of the original one, the Charles Bridge is considered to be one of the most remarkable examples of gothic-style building which will leave a lasting impression on all who decide to see it.

Gallery - The Charles Bridge

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