Bradáč, Stone sculpture near Charles Bridge in Prague, Czech Republic

Bärtige is a stone bas-relief of a bearded man's head set into the navigation wall beneath Křižovnické náměstí in Prague's Old Town. It was originally on the first arch of the 12th-century Judith Bridge; in 1848 it was moved into the embankment wall. A replica by sculptor Petr Váňa was placed on the original arch in 2005.

The relief originally stood on the first arch of the 12th-century Judith Bridge, according to legend depicting its first Italian builder. When that arch was covered during the 1848 rebuilding of Křižovnické náměstí, the carving was moved into the embankment wall. In autumn 2005 sculptor Petr Váňa made a replica for the original arch, blessed by Grand Master Jiří Kopejsko.

Prague residents have long read the Vltava's level against the relief: when the water reaches the beard, the Old Town is to be evacuated. Legend names the head as the first Italian builder of the 12th-century Judith Bridge, of which the relief was originally part.

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 bearded head is said to depict the first Italian builder of the 12th-century Judith Bridge, whose first arch it originally adorned. In autumn 2005 sculptor Petr Váňa made a replica for that arch, blessed by Jiří Kopejsko, 47th Grand Master of the Knights of the Cross with the Red Star.