Charles Bridge, Medieval footbridge in Prague, Czech Republic
The stone arch bridge spans 516 meters across the Vltava River, connecting Prague Castle with Old Town through sixteen massive arches.
Construction started in 1357 under King Charles IV and architect Peter Parler, replacing the Judith Bridge that was destroyed by floods in 1342.
Thirty baroque statues and statuaries line both sides of the bridge, including the statue of Saint John of Nepomuk with its metal relief.
The bridge remains accessible exclusively to pedestrians, with early morning visits offering reduced crowds and better opportunities for photographs.
The bridge foundation stone was placed at 5:31 on July 9, 1357, creating a numerical palindrome sequence: 1-3-5-7-9-7-5-3-1.
Location: Prague 1
Location: Old Town
Location: Malá Strana
Inception: 1357
Architects: Peter Parler
Official opening: 1402
Architectural style: Gothic architecture
Height: 13 m
Length: 515.76 m
Longest Span: 23.38 m
Width: 9.5 m
Made from material: sandstone
Part of: Old Town
GPS coordinates: 50.08639,14.41194
Latest update: May 26, 2025 19:09
Bridges have connected shores, valleys and communities for centuries. This collection presents significant bridge structures from different periods and regions. From medieval stone arches to modern steel constructions, these works demonstrate the evolution of engineering. The 16th-century Rialto Bridge in Venice spans the Grand Canal with a single stone arch. The Golden Gate in San Francisco extends 2.7 kilometers, connecting the city with northern California. In Singapore, the Helix Bridge forms a pedestrian connection across Marina Bay with its double spiral structure. These constructions serve practical functions in urban transport while defining the skylines of their cities. They document technical solutions to geographic obstacles and show different approaches to bridge building across the centuries.
Stone arch bridges rank among the most durable structures in history. From Roman aqueducts in Spain to medieval river crossings in Central Europe, these constructions demonstrate the evolution of engineering over two millennia. The Pont du Gard in France once transported 20,000 cubic meters of water daily over 50 kilometers, while the Segovia Aqueduct in Spain was built without mortar. In Asia, stone bridges like the Marco Polo Bridge in China have connected trade routes for centuries. The Khaju Bridge in Isfahan functions simultaneously as a dam and public gathering space. These structures served multiple purposes: transport, water supply, and social meeting points. Many of these bridges and aqueducts remain in use today. They document various construction techniques, from Roman concrete vaults to Persian brick arch structures. The constructions have survived wars, earthquakes, and floods, remaining functional elements of modern infrastructure.
Prague features historical monuments from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. The medieval center includes the Old Town Square with its astronomical clock. The royal castle overlooks the city from its hill. Charles Bridge connects the two banks of the Vltava. Religious buildings, museums, and theaters illustrate Gothic, Baroque, and modern architecture.
Statue of John of Nepomuk on Charles Bridge
125 m
Statue of Lutgardis
248 m
Saint Jude
186 m
Saint Francis of Assisi
156 m
Saint Augustine
217 m
Saint Ludmila
125 m
Statue of Bruncvík, Charles Bridge
186 m
Saint Vincent Ferrer and Saint Procopius
186 m
Na Kampě 8
231 m
Saint Nicholas of Tolentino
218 m
Saint Anthony of Padua
156 m
Saint Cajetan
249 m
Dům U sloupu Panny Marie
223 m
U Jezulátka
219 m
Dům U Stygrů
214 m
Dům U Bílé boty
219 m
Statue of John of Nepomuk at Kampa
217 m
Na Kampě 15
233 m
Dům U Gürtlů
263 m
Na Kampě 5
257 m
Dům U žlutých nůžek
251 m
Dům U Zlatého lva
252 m
House at the Yellow Rose
218 m
Dům Modrá koule
260 m
Dům U Zahrádků
221 m
Eduard Kohout plaque
220 m
Bohuslav Martinů bust
221 m
Plaque to Jan Wiener
251 mReviews
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