Charles Bridge, Prague (Czech Republic) – music, artists and sculptures

The Charles Bridge in Prague is one of the best things to see while you are there. Architecturally and artistically gorgeous, it also is a place full of people. Tourists, artists and street vendors cover the structure. Go for the people watching and finding a one of a kind souvenir.

The Charles bridge is the oldest bridge in Prague. There were earlier bridges but they have all been destroyed (for example, the stone bridge that was there previously washed out in a flood).

The Charles Bridge was built at the turn of the 15th century and is made of sandstone blocks. Originally the primary decoration was simply a large cross. It is a wonderful walking boulevard as it is quite wide (about 30 feet wide) and abouta third of a mile long. It connects two of the main tourist-y parts of town in Prague, the Old Town (home of the Astronomical Clock) and Mala Strana (AKA the Little Quarter, and location of St Nicholas Church). There is a tower on each end of the bridge, and you can climb one to get a good overview of the bridge.

If you are interested in construction methods of bridges around this time in Prague, see this video – https://twistedsifter.com/videos/14-century-bridge-construction-in-prague-animation. It’s pretty amazing how things like this were done.

There are dozens of statues on the bridge now (although all you see on the bridge now are reproductions, as originals that were still in place were moved to the National Museum because they were damaged by the weather – and probably tourists). Many people who go across the bridge touch the statue of St John of Nepomuk – it supposedly gives good luck and makes you return to Prague.

In the mid-1960s the bridge was closed to vehicle traffic and now the wonderful pedestrian walkway is filled with people and many artists and musicians and street vendors with all kinds of wares to sell. I particularly enjoy the water-filled-glass musicians (as shown above).

Happy travels!