Bradáč, Stone sculpture near Charles Bridge in Prague, Czech Republic
Bärtige is a stone sculpture depicting a bearded man's face carved directly into the riverbank wall near Charles Bridge in Prague's Old Town. The relief sits at ground level along the Vltava's edge, positioned where visitors walking the riverside path can observe it closely.
This medieval carving originated as a flood marker for the Vltava River, allowing residents to track water height changes over centuries. Scratch marks and lines etched into the stone document historical flood levels and helped communities prepare for seasonal rises.
This carved head represents medieval Czech stone masonry techniques and functions as both a decorative element and a practical measurement instrument.
The sculpture sits right along the riverside walkway north of Charles Bridge, making it easy to spot while strolling past. You can visit freely at any time since it is an outdoor street sculpture requiring no special arrangements.
The scratched lines visible on the stone are actual markers from past flood events, documenting how high water rose at different times. These natural traces create a physical record of the river's behavior that spans many centuries.
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