Saint Ludmila, Baroque statue on Charles Bridge, Prague, Czech Republic
This memorial depicts Saint Ludmila with her grandson Saint Wenceslaus, both wearing royal crowns while she holds a religious book. The limestone work was created by sculptor Matthias Braun in 1730 and now stands on Charles Bridge.
The original was created by sculptor Matthias Braun in 1730 and originally stood on the ramp leading to Prague Castle. It was relocated to Charles Bridge following the flood of 1784, where it has remained.
The statue shows Saint Ludmila as a teacher and spiritual guide, reflecting her role in spreading Christianity through medieval Bohemia. Visitors can see her importance to Bohemian spirituality expressed in this representation.
Visitors today see a replica created in 1999 by sculptors Jan and Marcela Kacer, while the original is preserved in the National Museum. The memorial is easily accessible as you walk across Charles Bridge.
The base of the memorial includes a relief depicting Saint Ludmila's death, showing her being strangled with a scarf at the command of her daughter-in-law Drahomira. This lesser-known scene reveals the human conflict behind the revered saint.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
