Vacationing in Prague and want more information about Charles Bridge, the city’s most famous bridge? In this article, let’s find out together everything you need to know about Charles Bridge Prague, including its length, accompanying curiosities, statues along the way, and the history of its construction.
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St. Charles Bridge Prague
The Charles Bridge, built entirely of stone, is certainly one of the most popular monuments among tourists who decide to visit Prague each year.
The structure overlooks the Vltava River and allows travel from the Old Town to the Malá Strana district.
Along its 500-plus meter length, a large number of street performers traditionally perform and several stalls of street vendors find space.
History of Prague’s Charles Bridge
This ancient construction was designed by Petr Parlér during the second half of the 1300s.
It was Charles IV who ordered its construction.
The architect, in order to meet the demands of the Holy Roman Emperor, decided to take inspiration from the Stone Bridge of Regensburg.
Once the design was approved, the structure was completed in just under fifty years from the date of commission.
It was 1402, and finally the city could replace the old Judith Bridge, demolished earlier by a flood of the Vltava River (1342).
Unlike the latter, the Charles Bridge has survived several floods brilliantly, including the worst one recorded during the past 500 years (2002).
On this bridge, in very ancient times, it was possible to watch life go by in its daily routine.
Many people collected taxes, fought in case of war, executed those sentenced to death and what not.
The architecture of the Charles Bridge in Prague
Photo by Martin Krchnacek on Unsplash
The Charles Bridge, also known as the Stone Bridge, has a solid and massive appearance.
Much is owed in this regard to the choice of using sturdy sandstone for its construction.
There are no less than 16 arches of which it is composed, while a number of towers placed at the beginning and the end of the 515.76-meter span complete the Gothic architecture of this bridge.
Itis possible to climb the towers and enjoy a splendid view of Prague from above.
Baroque-style statues have been added to the bridge over the years.
Nowadays they are preserved in the Prague Museums but you can still admire faithful copies of them on the structure.
Finally,a flight of steps leading to Kampa Island was added to the original architecture during the 1800s.
Charles Bridge Prague: legends
Several legends surround the mysterious King Charles Bridge Prague.
Let’s discover them together.
Magic and esotericism in Prague
Apparently, the construction of the Charles Bridge began at exactly 5:31 a.m. on the distant July 9, 1357.
The date and time were carefully chosen by a team of expert magicians and mathematicians.
After all, if Prague, along with our Turin and the French city of Lyon, represents one of the vertices of the European magic triangle, there must be a reason.
The day and time of the start of construction have a strong symbolic value: according to the astrologers of the time, in fact , they would have guaranteed the bridge a long life.
Prague’s eggs
Just as recent studies have shown, to the mortar and sandstone of which the bridge is composed it was thought to combine a certain amount of organic matter, eggs over all.
The kingdom was thus called to cooperation: the said eggs did indeed arrive from all latitudes.
However, at least so the legend would have it, the building work, somewhat like Penelope’s web, progressed during the day but everything fell apart during the night.
It was then necessary to make a pact with the devil for the structure to finally take shape.
The architect in charge of the project then promised to offer the devil the soul of the first individual to cross the bridge.
Through a series of fortuitous circumstances, the unintended victim was the designer’s wife.
The Charles Bridge Prague Statues
There are about 30 statues adorning the Charles Bridge in all, and each of them is intended to commemorate figures dear mostly to the Catholic Christian cult.
These, at least according to popular legend, would come to life at night and travel to Kampa to help and protect the babies who reside or are born here.
St. John of Nepomuk
Among the statues a small highlight deserves the sculpture depicting St. John of Nepomuk. The Czech-born Christian martyr was condemned to death during the reign of Wenceslas IV and was thrown into the Vltava River.
The river received the remains of the saint, who was killed for not revealing to the king the secrets he had heard from the queen in confession. As a further indignity, before letting him drown, the ruler decided to have St. John’s tongue cut out.
This tongue resurfaced still intact and bleeding a long time after the murder. At the spot where the court priest died five stars were seen shining.
The plaque underlying his statue over the years has become increasingly shiny and polished. This is because many of the commuters and tourists who daily cross Charles Bridge touch this part of the sculpture.
This is because an ancient legend says that stroking the statue brings good luck for at least a decade.
The Crucifixion Group
Among the many statues that adorn the bridge, it is impossible not to mention theCrucifixion group.
It, as a small epigraph in Hebrew would testify, was openly despised by a wayfarer of Jewish origin.
In retribution he, overheard by someone nearby, was forced to finance the making of a gold plaque on which are inscribed the words “Holy, Holy, Holy God.”
To it over the years was added another plaque bearing the same phrase written in Czech, German and even Latin.
Bruncvik Knight
One of the statues on the bridge, this time not a saint, is that of the Brunvick Knight.
It reminds passersby of the social rise of the bourgeoisie, which at one point in Prague’s history gained the right to charge a duty for crossing the bridge.
The knight is accompanied by a wounded lion.
The animal, at least so the legend would have it, was cared for by the wealthy lord and in return accompanied his benefactor in peace and war wherever he went.
The Vodink
The Vodnik is a small sprite who would live in the Vltava River and wear a distinctive little green dress topped by a red hat.
He would spend his days carrying with him into the river all the souls of people who found death by drowning here.
These spirits, are stored inside huge pots. The Vodink could act with both beneficent and malign intentions.
Charles Bridge Prague: useful information
Price of tickets for the Prague bridge
You can visit the Charles Bridge at any time. There are no closing times (it is open to the public 24/7) and there is no admission charge: it is completely free. If you wish, you can visit the towers located on each end of the bridge: the Old Town Bridge Tower and the Lesser Town Bridge Tower, but the entrance fee is CZK 100 for each tower.
If you wish to visit more of Prague’s attractions, my advice is to purchase the Prague Card, which entitles you to free access to dozens of attractions in the Czech capital.
Prague CoolPass: access to more than 60 attractions and discounts
Buy the official Prague tourist card and access over 60 attractions for free or at a discounted price.
Prague Charles Bridge opening hours
The Prague Bridge can be visited every day, all day. 24 hours a day and 365 days a year.
| Month | Opening hours | Notes |
| January | 00:00 – 24:00 | can be visited daily, all day |
| February | 00:00 – 24:00 | visitable daily, all day |
| March | 00:00 – 24:00 | visitable daily, all day |
| April | 00:00 – 24:00 | visitable daily, all day |
| May | 00:00 – 24:00 | visitable daily, all day |
| June | 00:00 – 24:00 | visitable daily, all day |
| July | 00:00 – 24:00 | visitable daily, all day |
| August | 00:00 – 24:00 | visitable daily, all day |
| September | 00:00 – 24:00 | visitable daily, all day |
| October | 00:00 – 24:00 | visitable daily, all day |
| November | 00:00 – 24:00 | visitable daily, all day |
| December | 00:00 – 24:00 | visitable daily, all day |
Length of visit
How long does a visit to the Prague Bridgetake? The bridge is 516 meters long, so it takes about 5-6 minutes to walk across. If you wish to stop at each statue to admire it and read about its history, budget at least 30 minutes.
How to get to King Charles Bridge Prague
The closest stops to King Charles Bridge are:
- Karlovy Lázně is a 358-meter walk away and is a 5-minute walk.
- Staroměstská is 460 meters walking distance and you will get there in 6 minutes on foot.
- Malostranská is 720 meters walking distance and you will get there in 10 minutes on foot.
Prague Bridge: frequently asked questions
Until 1841, Charles Bridge was the only gateway across the Vltava River, playing a crucial role in connecting Prague Castle, the Old Town, and the surrounding areas. This land passage gave Prague crucial importance as a trade route between Eastern and Western Europe.
In 1393 St. John of Nepomuk was thrown from the bridge into the river where he drowned. An ancient legend says that if you touch the statue and make a wish, it will come true within a year and a day, as long as you keep it a secret and never tell anyone what it is.
Once on the Prague Bridge, to have a decade of luck you should touch the statue of St. John of Nepomuk, a man thrown into the Vltava River, in which he drowned. It is recommended that you touch the five stars with your right hand, put your left hand on the saint’s feet and walk with your right foot on the shiny nail in the pavement. It is claimed that this is the right position to be able to make your wish.
Construction of the Charles Bridge began in 1357 under the auspices of Charles IV and was completed in 1402. From 1870 the bridge, which was called Prague Bridge (or Stone Bridge) changed its name to Charles Bridge.
The bridge is 516 meters (1,693 feet) long and nearly 10 meters (33 feet) wide.
To the delight of most tourists, the bridge is accessible only to pedestrians. It is always crowded: artists sell their paintings and drawings, street performers entertain the crowds, and in the evenings it is a popular hangout for young people.
The Charles Bridge is one of the oldest in Europe and has been the backdrop for numerous films, including Mission Impossible, XXX and one or two James Bond films.
The Charles Bridge stands on the foundations of two ancient medieval bridges, shrouded in legends, tales and fascinating stories, and is a significant historical landmark in Prague. It is famous for its Gothic-style architecture and the presence of numerous unique statues that adorn its entire span.
Prague’s bridges facilitate the crossing of the Vltava River. In total there are 18 bridges, 4 of which are railroad and 3 pedestrian only. A 19th bridge has been under construction for the past few years. From 1158 to 1841 there was only one bridge: the Charles Bridge, which was first called Judith Bridge, then Stone Bridge, and finally Charles Bridge.
My advice is to access the bridge in the early morning hours. At these times you will meet only locals and few photographers. Avoid lunchtime, the most crowded time. Alternatively, you can opt for the evening hours, from 5 p.m. onward, a time when the crowds of tourists leave the bridge to head elsewhere.
Spring and fall (April, May and September, October) are the best times to visit Prague and its bridge. The spring and fall months attract fewer crowds but offer the possibility of sunny days and warm weather (remember to bring a jacket and umbrella just in case). April and May are especially beautiful as trees and flowers bloom.
The Prague Bridge can be visited for free, so there is no need to purchase an access ticket. If, on the other hand, you wish to visit the Towers on either end of the bridge, the ticket price is CZK 100 each.
Prague CoolPass: access to more than 60 attractions and discounts
Buy the official Prague tourist card and gain access to over 60 attractions for free or at a discounted price.
