According to local legend, raw eggs were mixed into the lime mortar during construction to strengthen the bridge.
The first statue to be installed on the bridge was the statue of John of Nepomuk in 1683.
The bridge's foundation stone was reportedly laid at exactly 5:31 AM on July 9, 1357, based on a numerological sequence favoured by Charles IV.
The bridge was originally known as the Stone Bridge or Prague Bridge before being officially renamed Charles Bridge in 1870.
Many of the original sandstone statues on the bridge have been replaced with replicas to protect the originals from pollution and flood damage.
The Old Town Bridge Tower is decorated with a complex array of heraldic symbols and sculptures depicting the bridge's royal patrons.
In 1741, the bridge was occupied by French and Bavarian troops during the War of the Austrian Succession.
The bridge alignment was calculated to ensure that the setting sun on the feast day of St. Vitus shines directly through the bridge tower.
Construction work lasted for approximately 45 years, finishing around 1402.
Charles Bridge is a 516-meter-long stone Gothic bridge commissioned by King Charles IV in 1357 to replace the flood-damaged Judith Bridge. The structure features 16 arches and is flanked by 30 baroque-style statues and statuaries representing various saints. It connects the Old Town with the Lesser Town across the Vltava River. The bridge is fortified at both ends by monumental Gothic towers, including the Old Town Bridge Tower, which is considered one of the finest Gothic structures in Europe. Construction of the bridge was completed in the early 15th century. It served as the primary transit route between the Old Town and Prague Castle for centuries. Today, it is an exclusively pedestrian zone. The bridge surface is made of sandstone, which has undergone multiple restorations to preserve its structural integrity. It remains the oldest standing bridge across the Vltava in Prague.
The elevated view from the gallery of the Old Town Bridge Tower or the riverbanks near Kampa Island.
Cross the bridge at dawn to avoid the dense crowds that build up by mid-morning.
Watch your belongings closely, as the high volume of pedestrians makes it a common location for pickpockets.
Visit the small museum located at the foot of the Old Town Bridge Tower for context on the bridge's engineering.
Avoid visiting during the middle of the day if you prefer a peaceful experience, and be wary of unauthorized street vendors or aggressive souvenir pushers.
Respect the statues, as many are considered sacred historical monuments; do not sit or climb on the balustrades.
