Charles Bridge

Charles Bridge crosses the Vltava River in Prague, connecting the Old Town with Lesser Town. As you walk across its medieval cobblestones, you'll pass street musicians playing Czech folk songs, artists sketching portraits, and 30 baroque statues depicting saints and historical figures. Look up to see Prague Castle and St. Vitus Cathedral's spires dominating the skyline, or lean over the stone railings to watch boats glide beneath the 14th-century stone arches.

Physical Description and Location

The Charles Bridge extends 516 meters across the Vltava River, with 16 arches and ice guards supporting its structure. At nearly 10 meters wide and 13 meters above the water, the bridge gives you plenty of space to explore. Two Gothic towers mark the Lesser Town entrance, while a single tower rises from the Old Town side. The sandstone blocks have withstood floods and weather for over 600 years, and regular restoration work keeps them stable.

Statues and Artwork

Thirty statues and sculptural groups line the bridge's balustrade, most created between 1706 and 1714. The 1683 statue of St. John of Nepomuk is the oldest original artwork on the bridge. You'll find the original statues in the National Museum's Lapidarium, while exact replicas remain on the bridge. Each statue tells a story of religious figures or Czech historical personalities, including the Lamentation of Christ by Jan Brokoff and the statue of Saint Luthgard.

Best Times to Visit

Walk the bridge before 9 AM to avoid crowds. After sunset, local musicians set up near the Old Town tower, with a jazz band playing regularly. Street artists create portraits and sell paintings throughout the day. You can cross the bridge at any time - it's open 24 hours with no entrance fee.

Getting Around

Walk to Charles Bridge from Old Town through Karlova Street, which leads directly to the Old Town Bridge Tower. From Lesser Town, take Mostecká Street from Malostranské náměstí Square. The bridge is part of the Royal Route to Prague Castle. Since 1965, only pedestrians can cross the bridge.

Bridge Towers

The Old Town Bridge Tower rises 47 meters, with black Gothic spires and stone sculptures of Charles IV and Wenceslas IV. At the Lesser Town entrance, you'll find two towers - a 26-meter Romanesque tower from the 12th century and a 43-meter Gothic tower built in 1464. Climb the spiral staircases in each tower to reach viewing galleries, where you can photograph the river and Prague's rooftops.