Attraction
Prague Castle
The vast hilltop seat of Bohemian kings and Czech presidents, home to St Vitus Cathedral, the Old Royal Palace, St George's Basilica and Golden Lane.
Charles Bridge
Prague's 14th-century stone bridge across the Vltava, lined with around 30 Baroque statues and guarded by Gothic towers at both ends.
At a glance
- Type
- Historic stone bridge
- Area
- Staré Město / Malá Strana, Prague, Czech Republic
- Official site
- prague.eu
Good to know
- Free
- Pedestrian only
- Open at all hours
Why we recommend it
Charles Bridge has linked the Old Town and the Lesser Town across the Vltava since the Middle Ages. Construction began in 1357 under Charles IV, with Peter Parler as the designer, and took until 1402 to complete. The bridge is about 516 metres long and nine and a half metres wide, resting on 16 arches, and it has been closed to cars since 1965. For centuries it was the only fixed crossing of the river in Prague, which is why so much of the city's history passed over it.
The bridge is lined with around 30 statues and sculptural groups, most of them added between 1706 and 1714. Nearly all are now copies, with the originals kept by the National Museum and in the casemates at Vyšehrad. The oldest is the bronze statue of St John of Nepomuk from 1683, recognisable by the five stars around his head. A small cross on the balustrade marks the spot where, according to tradition, he was thrown into the river, and many visitors touch the reliefs for luck. Look out too for the knight Bruncvík on a pillar below the bridge, holding his legendary sword.
At each end stands a defensive tower. The Old Town Bridge Tower dates in part from the reign of Charles IV and is decorated with Gothic sculpture, while the Lesser Town end has a pair of towers, the smaller one Renaissance from 1591 and the larger from the 15th century. Both towers can be climbed for views along the bridge and across the rooftops. On the Lesser Town side a staircase leads down to Kampa Island, a quieter riverside park.
The bridge is free and open at all hours, so timing is everything. During the day it fills with visitors, painters and musicians, and it can feel more like a market than a crossing. Come early in the morning for photographs and space, or at night when the lamps are lit and the castle is floodlit above the Lesser Town. Watch your belongings in the crowds.
The nearest metro station is Staroměstská on line A, a few minutes from the Old Town end. From the Lesser Town end, Mostecká Street leads up to Malostranské náměstí and St Nicholas Church, and from there to the castle steps.
Charles Bridge FAQs
Is Charles Bridge free?
Yes. The bridge is a public pedestrian crossing and is free to walk at any time of day or night.
When is the best time to visit Charles Bridge?
Early morning, before the crowds arrive, or late in the evening when the bridge is lit. Daytime in summer is the busiest.
How long is Charles Bridge?
About 516 metres, with 16 arches. It is around nine and a half metres wide.
Are the statues on Charles Bridge original?
Most are copies. The originals are kept by the National Museum and in the Vyšehrad casemates, where six can be seen in Gorlice Hall.
Which is the oldest statue on Charles Bridge?
The bronze statue of St John of Nepomuk, made in 1683, which is traditionally touched for luck.
Can you climb the towers on Charles Bridge?
Yes. Both the Old Town Bridge Tower and the Lesser Town Bridge Tower are open to visitors for a fee.
How do I get to Charles Bridge?
Walk from Staroměstská metro station on line A, or from Malostranské náměstí on the Lesser Town side.
What is near Charles Bridge?
Kampa Island, the Old Town, the Lesser Town and St Nicholas Church are all a few minutes' walk away.