CHARLES BRIDGE

Description

Essentials about Charles Bridge in brief

Every traveler should have seen this bridge once in his life: Charles Bridge (cz. “Karlův most”). It is one of the oldest stone bridges in Europe and the oldest preserved bridge over the Vltava River. And with its 30 stone figures and two imposing bridge towers marking the “entrance” to the bridge, the Charles Bridge is definitely one of the most beautiful and extraordinary historical bridges in all of Europe.

The history of Charles Bridge

Initially, a ford served as a crossing over the Vltava, which was probably supplemented by raft traffic since the 9th century. A wooden bridge was first mentioned in the 10th century by an envoy of the Caliph of Cordoba. The wooden bridge was repeatedly damaged and finally destroyed by a flood in the middle of the 12th century. Between 1158 and about 1170 the first Prague stone bridge in Romanesque style was built. The so-called “Judith Bridge” (cz. “Juditin most”) was named after Judith of Thuringia, the wife of Duke Vladislav II. In 1342, however, Judith Bridge also fell victim to a flood. Only one of the two bridge towers on the Malá Strana, a gate tower (later incorporated into the Maltese Monastery) and some piers and bridge arches, which were integrated into residential buildings on the Malá Strana, remained undestroyed.

The foundation stone of today’s Charles Bridge was laid in 1357 by Emperor Charles IV, and the bridge’s architect is not known for certain. For a long time it was assumed that it was the work of Peter Parler, one of the most famous builders of the 14th century. However, according to a new theory, the architect could have been a Prague stonemason named Otlin. The fact is that the work on the bridge and towers was under the direction of Parler.

Based on the model of the Stone Bridge in Regensburg, Charles Bridge was built as an arch bridge with 16 arches. Its length is 516 meters, its width about 10 meters. The arches are arranged almost symmetrically over the entire bridge structure. Old millstones, granite from the riverbed and sandstone from nearby stone bridges were used as construction materials.

Initially called “Stone Bridge” (cz. “Kamenný most”) or “Prague Bridge” (cz. “Pražský most”), the bridge played a significant role in establishing Prague as an important trade hub between Western and Eastern Europe.In the course of its history, the bridge was damaged several times by flood waves and acts of war. At the end of the Thirty Years’ War, the bridge was the scene of fierce battles in 1648, when Swedish troops besieged Prague from the west bank of the Vltava River.

It was not until 1870 that the bridge was officially renamed “Charles Bridge”. From the end of the 19th century, the bridge also played an important role in Prague’s public transport. It was initially crossed by a horse-drawn streetcar, which was later replaced by a streetcar and buses. Since the 1970s, however, the bridge has been closed to all vehicular traffic due to excessive loads, and only pedestrians can cross. Entertainment for the thousands of tourists who cross the bridge every day is provided by dozens of musicians, painters and souvenir merchants.

The Figures of Charles Bridge

When it was inaugurated, Charles Bridge did not yet have any bridge decorations. Only gradually, from the early 17th century, sculptures of saints and Madonnas were placed above the bridge piers. The figures originate from various sculptor’s workshops and are mostly in the Baroque style. Today there is a figure exactly above each arch pillar. However, these are no longer the originals – they have been gradually replaced by replicas since 1965 and have since been exhibited in the National Museum Prague.

Probably the most famous of all the figures on the Charles Bridge is that of St. John Nepomuk. The Bohemian priest belonged to the entourage of the Archbishop of Prague and, according to legend, was tortured as a result of an altercation and pushed into the Vltava River at Charles Bridge. His body floating in the water was lined with five stars, according to tradition. Thus, five stars also adorn the head of his statue. By the way, the Nepomuk statue erected in 1683 is the oldest one on the bridge. Those who want luck on his/her side should rub the relief on Nepomuk’s statue. After all, it is supposed to bring luck. No wonder it already shines brightly from all the touching.

The towers of Charles Bridge

Probably the most unusual architectural element of the Charles Bridge are the two towers on either side of the bridge, built in different eras.

The Old Town Bridge Tower

On the old town side, the Old Town Bridge Tower was built between 1370 and 1380 exactly above the first bridge pier in the Gothic style, and its eastern facade has been preserved over the centuries. The decoration on the west facade was destroyed during the shelling by the Swedish troops in the Thirty Years’ War and was not restored. The Old Town Bridge Tower has a viewing floor from which there is a magnificent view of Charles Bridge, the Vltava River and Prague’s old town.

The Malá Strana Bridge Tower

The Malá Strana Bridge Tower actually consists of two towers. The first tower was built in 1464, probably on the site of an older Romanesque tower. Its design in the late Gothic style is based on the Old Town Bridge Tower at the other end of the bridge. It has reliefs in the form of arches with attached stylized turrets on its eastern side. Its observation gallery is also open to the public.

The lower of the two towers is the slightly modified intact tower of the former Judith Bridge. It is built in Romanesque style on a rectangular ground plan and was rebuilt in Renaissance style in 1591. In the 15th century both towers were connected by a crenellated medieval wall. The gate has been the entrance to the Malá Strana of Prague ever since.

The view from Charles Bridge

Last but not least, a note to all amateur photographers: Charles Bridge is not only a beautiful photo motif itself – from the bridge you have a gorgeous view of Prague’s old town, the Prague Malá Strana and Prague Castle. By the way, if you want to take great photos of the bridge, you should come by not only during the day but also at night. For some years now, the bridge has been illuminated again by gas lanterns after dark, which gives the historic ambience of the stone bridge with its figures and bridge towers a very special expression.