Prague’s Charles Bridge is a historic pedestrian bridge known for its iconic statues and stunning views.
History
The Charles Bridge is a historic, pedestrian-only bridge that spans the Vltava River, connecting the districts of Old Town and Lesser Town. Construction of the bridge began in 1357, and work was completed in 1402. During its early years, the bridge was known as Stone Bridge or Prague Bridge, with the name Charles Bridge adopted in the 1870s.
Visiting Charles Bridge in Prague
One of my fondest memories of Prague is standing on the Charles Bridge, taking in the views and enjoying the early morning breeze, free from the bustle of the crowds. I am by no means a morning person, but it was well worth waking up early to visit the bridge without the crowds and the commotion of the vendors.
Referring back to the title of this post, the Charles Bridge becomes very crowded throughout the day, so if you want to enjoy the sculptures and the views, it is best to do so rather early in the morning. I arrived at Charles Bridge around 9:30 on a Saturday morning, and there were no crowds or vendors. Later that day, at about 3 in the afternoon, the bridge was almost impassable – very crowded with tourists, vendors, and pigeons.
Charles Bridge is a very popular site and one I consider an “open-air museum” given the 30 sculptures that line it. I recommend going to the bridge with the intent of “visiting” rather than just “crossing“.
Under the St. John of Nepomuk statue is a plaque of a knight and his loyal companion, a dog. The story goes that rubbing the dog will bring you good luck and a long-lasting relationship. On the other side of the statue, another plaque depicts the moment St. John was thrown over the bridge. Rubbing this plaque means you’ll return to Prague. A 3rd plaque associated with St. John, right by this statue, marks where he was thrown into the river. When you rub this plaque, you are supposed to make a wish.
While the bridge’s surface is cobblestone, the ground is pretty even. I saw several strollers and a wheelchair cross the bridge without much issue. The bridge is about 500 meters (.3 miles) and has no benches. If you suffer from claustrophobia, you may want to avoid crossing the bridge in the afternoon when it gets most crowded.
There are no fees associated with visiting the Charles Bridge.
Travel Tip
Next to the bridge, one finds the Charles Bridge Museum. I did not visit this museum during my stay in Prague, but I wanted to share the information for those who may be interested in learning more about the bridge and its construction. The museum charges an admission fee, but discounts are offered for certain age groups and families.
Travelers can also visit the Old Town Bridge Tower and the Lesser Town Bridge Tower, and climb the stairs to the top for great views of the city and the Vltava River. There is an admission fee for each tower, but discounts are available, such as the early-bird discount during the first hour after opening and a combo ticket that provides admission to both sites.
One perk of visiting the bridge in the afternoon is the local vendors bringing it to life with their music and art. While crossing the bridge, you will come across various artists, jewelry makers, musicians, and much more.
These musicians, Vyplach Galaxie, had some really catchy beats!
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