15 Amazing Charles Bridge Facts For Your Next Visit To Prague

Charles Bridge, Prague was the oldest bridge and the only bridge built across the Vltava river from 1402 up to 1841.

Charles Bridge is a stone Gothic bridge crossing the Vltava river of Prague. It is the most famous bridge in the Czech Republic and the oldest bridge in Prague.

The Charles Bridge formed an important connecting link between eastern and western Europe. It served as an important trade route since the 14th century.

The bridge is one of the first three sites in the country to receive recognition in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1992. The Charles Bridge is a historical bridge that connected Old Town and Lesser Town. It was built surrounding many interesting legends.

Charles Bridge has suffered numerous disasters and witnessed several historic events. The Lake Charles bridge is 82.5 m (132.7 km) away from the Breaux Bridge which is officially designated as 'the crawfish capital of the world' and is located in Louisiana, USA.

In early medieval times, the bridge was led by a bridge made of wood. The wooden bridge was the first installation at the location but the bridge crumbled in 1157.

It was followed by another stone bridge called the Judith Bridge named after the wife of King Vladislav II.

Judith Bridge was constructed in 1158, right after the wooden bridge collapsed but it also did not last long since the bridge collapsed after a disastrous flood in 1342.

It was not the first stone bridge, rather it was based on the design of Germany's Regensburg’s Stone Bridge. The similarities of the two bridges are uncanny, both of them were built on 16 arches and they were blocked by ice guards.

Many people are under the impression that the Charles Bridge was always named so as a tribute to King Charles IV since the construction of the bridge started during his rule. However, the bridge got its current name much later in the 19th century.

There's a legend that implies that King Charles IV laid the first stone of the Stone Bridge at a particular time.

By climbing 138 steps of the Old Town Bridge Tower, you can observe an exotic view of Prague Castle, the river, and the 30 statues that were built in Baroque style.

These Baroque statues of artistic styles were built using sandstone between 1707-1714 but due to their fragile material, they deteriorated and got replaced by replicas. The original statues are now preserved in the Lapidary of the National Museum.

There is another mysterious 31st statue off the main avenue which is visible from a golden sword. This statue is of the Bohemian Knight, Bruncvik and he wields a golden sword.

The statue replaced the statue of Roland and acted as a reminder that the side of the Old Town Bridge tower gateway had the power for controlling the bridge and could collect tolls.

History And Location The Charles Bridge

The Charles bridge is the oldest bridge in Prague and the second oldest in the Czech Republic. The construction of the bridge was started by the Roman Emperor Charles IV in 1357.

Peter Parler, the famous German-Czech architect led the construction works of the bridge and it almost took half a century to complete building the bridge. It was finally finished in 1402.

Formerly called the 'Stone Bridge' and the 'Prague Bridge,' it has been known as the 'Charles Bridge' since 1870. Till 1841, it was the only connecting link of east and west Europe.

The bridge underwent many restoration processes but this valuable landmark has lasted for centuries in the Czech Republic. Although there are 17 bridges in Prague at present, many people come to admire the beauty of the bridge every year.

• After 30 years the bridge was complete, a dangerous flood broke three pillars of the bridge. In 1621, the bridge became a display ground of severed heads during the Battle of White Mountain. As the Thirty Years' War ended, the Swedish captured the west bank of the River Vltava. The deadliest fight took place on the bridge and almost all monuments and decorations were destroyed.
• For the rest of the 17th century, the renovation works of the Charles Bridge continued but it did not last a while. The statues and statuaries lining the bridge were built between 1683 and 1714. These monuments depict the patron saints and saints of the contemporary time. In the great flood of 1784, the five pillars of the bridge were damaged severely and traffic once again stopped on the bridge.
• In 1833, the council decided to introduce tram railways on the Charles Bridge as a form of transportation. The first-ever horse-driven tram of the Charles Bridge traveled from National Theatre up to the Lesser Quarter Square. Later, the horse-drawn tram was replaced by an electric tram in 1905. In the fear that the bridge cannot hold the pressure of trams, bus routes were introduced but they did not last long. Finally, in 1965, traffic on the bridge was prohibited and a law was passed that only pedestrians could use the bridge.
• Another dangerous flood struck Prague in 1890 and the Charles Bridge was severely damaged by this flood. Things like logs, rafts, and other floating materials accumulated and formed a huge barrier against the bridge. This caused three arches to tear down and two pillars were damaged after being drenched in water for long periods. Two statues of the bridge fell into the river water along with the fifth pillar.

What type of bridge is the Charles Bridge?

Just as you have seen the famous Charles Bridge is associated with many historic events, there are also legends and stories that state what type of bridge is the Charles Bridge. Charles Bridge replaced the Judith Bridge.

The base of the bridge is deep-rooted a few feet below the water level and the Charles Bridge starts from there. On visiting the region, you can visualize how the Charles Bridge followed the path of preceding bridges.

• Originally called 'Stone Bridge,' it was not named Charles Bridge at first. Charles Bridge is made of sandstone blocks. It was the first of its kind in Prague and therefore it was named so. Since the stone bridge was rare at that time, the name did justice. However, when other stone bridges started being constructed, it was maned the Prague Bridge since it crossed the Vltava river.
• There is another centuries-old rumor which states that the bridge was built using eggs in the mortar mix. It is believed that the builders used to add eggs in large amounts in the grout to strengthen the mixture holding the stones together. Since the number of eggs required was so high, the builders quickly ran out of eggs and ran throughout the towns and villages to accumulate eggs.
• People from all villages donated eggs for the construction of the new bridge and traveled miles to meet the request. The University of Chemistry and Technology Prague analyzed the samples of the grout of the bridge to see whether eggs were actually used. In 2010, they declared that there was no trace of eggs in the mortar, however, they discovered samples of milk and wine from the grout.

Specialty About The Charles Bridge

Like many nobles of medieval times, King Charles IV was also a strong believer in numerology and astrology. He ordered that the construction work of the bridge would start on July 9, 1357, exactly at 5:31 am and he would install the first stone of Prague's new bridge.

The date and time were significant to the Holy Roman Emperor because it formed a palindrome (1357, 9/7, 5:31 which forms a palindrome 1-3-5-7-9-7-5-3-1). This number is carved on the Old Town Bridge Tower.

Ironically, this number also creates a numerical bridge, and constructing the bridge at that time was supposed to bring good luck and extra strength.

Whether this Czech legend worked or not is unknown but we can walk on the bridge still today, even after it faced some rough times. There are also some other specialties about the old bridge which you will be glad to know.

• The design of the Charles Bridge is very complicated, it is protected by three towers that stand strategically across the bridge. These bridge towers were used as protection, soldiers used towers as defense posts to protect the city from enemies. One tower is located at the Old Town side and called the 'Old Town Bridge Tower' and the other two are located at Lesser Town called the 'Mala Strana Bridge Tower' and the 'Judith Tower'.
• The Charles Bridge is lined by a series of statues in Baroque style that portray patron saints and saints throughout the history of the country. The first and probably the most noteworthy statue was the statue of the patron saint, Saint John of Nepomuk. John of Nepomuk is considered to be the first martyr of the Seal of the Confessional. He refused to leak the confessional secrets of the Queen of Bohemia. For this reason, it is said that John of Nepomuk was thrown into the river and he drowned in the Vltava river in 1393. Legend has it that five stars appeared over the Vltava on the night of the murder of John of Nepomuk.
• The Charles Bridge saw many troubles throughout history, both natural and man-made. The most significant of the was the Thirty Years' War. After the body of John of Nepomuk was drowned in Vltave water, the bridge was used as another place of punishment during the early stages of the Thirty Years' War. In 1620, the Bohemians were defeated by the Roman emperor and 27 revolt leaders were publicly executed. The severed heads were displayed on the bridge. This was not done with the purpose to show their power rather it was supposed to teach a lesson to Czechs. You can see the white crosses on the pavement while strolling around the Old Town Square City Hall. These crosses are a tribute to those who were beheaded.
• The first monument that was raised in the Charles Bridge was the gilded bronze crucifix Statuary of St. Cross with Cavalry dating back to the 17th century. The holy crucifix has metal decorations around it and it is said that touching these decorations grants you a wish. The gilded inscription is a Hebrew saying.

Neighborhoods In Prague Are Walking Distance To Charles Bridge

Charles Bridge is a beautiful landmark of history, there is no doubt about that. The 1693 ft (516 m) bridge standing on 15 pillars and decorated by a continuous alley of numerous statues and statuaries catches the eye of many tourists.

However, while you are visiting the beautiful Charles Bridge, there are some neighboring tourist spots that you cannot miss out on. Visiting the neighboring places will make your travel to Prague much more enriching.

• Prague Castle is a castle complex in Prague. Currently, it is the President's office of the nation. Previously, Prague castle has been a seat of power for Romans and Bohemians. The castle is beautifully decorated with the early belongings of emperors which makes it a fascinating place for tourists.
• The Old Town Square is a historic square of the Old Town Quarter in Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic. There are buildings and churches of primitive architecture in the square. People interested in medieval Gothic architecture should visit this place.
• The astronomical clock of Prague, Prague Orloj is a clock attached to the Prague Town Hall. This clock was installed in 1410 and it is the third-oldest astronomical clock in the world, which attracts many tourists each year. The clock is still in operation.
• Most of the statues of Charles Bridge are now replaced by replicas. The original ones are exhibited in the Lapidarium of the National Museum. To feel the real essence of old statues installed on the Charles Bridge you should visit the place.