DK Travel : Prague : Charles Bridge

Charles Bridge

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The spectacular Charles Bridge (Karlův most ) has witnessed more than 600 years of processions, battles, executions and, increasingly, film shoots. Peter Parléř (see St Vitus’s Cathedral) built the viaduct to replace its predecessor, the Judith Bridge, in Gothic style. The bridge’s most distinguishing feature is its gallery of 30 statues. The saints and other religious figures were installed, from 1683 onwards, to lead the masses back to mass. Some, such as Braun’s St Luitgard , are incomparably lovely; others, such as Bohn’s Calvary , are politically controversial. Today all the statues are reproductions – the originals are preserved in museums across the city.

Top 10 Features

1. Old Town Bridge Tower

From the parapet of the Old Town bridge tower, you can see the gentle S-curve that the architect Peter Parléř built into the viaduct to obstruct invaders, as well as a jaw-dropping panorama of the city.
2. Calvary

2. Calvary

This statue will cause double-takes among students of Hebrew. According to a nearby apologia, the words “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Hosts” were added in 1696, paid for by a local Jewish man who had been accused of profaning the cross.
3. The Lorraine Cross

Halfway across the bridge is a brass cross where John Nepomuk’s body was thrown into the river (see St John of Nepomuk). It is said that if you wish on the cross the wish will come true.
4. Statue of St John of Nepomuk

4. Statue of St John of Nepomuk

Rubbing the brass relief of the saint shown diving into the river is an old tradition, thought to bring good luck; petting the adjacent brass dog is a new one.
5. Statue of Sts Cyril and Methodius

5. Statue of Sts Cyril and Methodius

Greek missionaries who brought both Christianity and the Cyrillic alphabet to the Czech lands, Cyril and Methodius are national heroes to this day. Karel Dvořák created this statue in 1928 at the peak of Czechoslovakia’s period of National Awakening, following independence.
6. Statue of Bruncvik

Peer over the bridge’s southern edge to see the Czech’s answer to King Arthur. Bruncvik and his army are promised to awaken and save Prague at the city’s most desperate hour.
7. Our Lady of the Mangles

7. Our Lady of the Mangles

The portrait of Mary hanging on the house south of the bridge is tied to an ancient tale of miraculous healing. Seeing the light go out on the balcony below is supposedly an omen of imminent death – don’t stare too long.
8. Statue of St Luitgard

Matthias Brauns’ 1710 depiction of a blind nun’s dream, in which the crucified Christ permitted her to touch his wounds, retains a timeless appeal.
9. Antonin

One of many artists selling work from the bridge, Antonin paints portraits of himself as the devil. His proximity to the Čertovka (Devil’s Canal) may be the key.
10. Statue of the Trinitarian Order

This religious order was set up to ransom prisoners of war from the Crusades and buy Christians back their freedom; hence the bored Turk guarding the cell.