Old Town Bridge Tower, Gothic tower at Charles Bridge, Prague, Czech Republic
The Old Town Bridge Tower is a Gothic stone structure that stands 47 meters tall at the entrance of Charles Bridge and is decorated with intricate sculptures and gargoyles. The building has an observation gallery at the top that visitors can reach by climbing interior stairs.
Peter Parler designed this defensive structure in the 14th century as part of the medieval fortification system protecting the approach to Prague's Old Town. The building was later modified and expanded to meet the city's changing needs over the centuries.
The eastern facade displays heraldic symbols from medieval Bohemian lands, with a lion eating meat and an eagle catching a hare carved into the stone. These reliefs tell the story of the rulers who once controlled this territory.
To reach the viewing platform at the top, visitors must climb 138 steps, which requires some physical effort. The view from above spans across the Vltava River and Prague's distinctive red-tiled rooftops in all directions.
In the 1620s, heads of executed rebels were displayed on the bridge side as a warning to others, remaining there for years. This dark chapter is now an important part of local memory about the city's political struggles during that era.
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