History
The Bridge Built at an Astrologically Precise Moment
Charles Bridge is far more than a crossing — it is the backbone of Prague for seven centuries. It connects Old Town with Malá Strana, passes beneath the shadow of Prague Castle, and until the 19th century was the only permanent bridge over the Vltava in the capital. Trade caravans, royal coronation processions, armies and generations of ordinary people have all walked across its stones.
Construction began on the orders of Charles IV on 9 July 1357 at exactly 5:31 in the morning — a moment personally chosen by the royal astrologer, as the digits form the palindromic sequence 1-3-5-7-9-7-5-3-1, reading identically in both directions. Charles IV believed this would make the bridge indestructible. It is hard to argue with him — the bridge has stood for over 660 years.
"On Charles Bridge, time flows differently — you can feel the footsteps of Charles IV beneath your feet, if you dare to stop and listen."
Construction was entrusted to the 23-year-old architect Peter Parler — the same master builder, arrived from Germany, to whom Charles IV also entrusted St. Vitus Cathedral. Parler devoted his entire life to Prague. The bridge was completed around 1402 and for centuries was known simply as the Stone Bridge — only in 1848 did it officially receive the name it bears today.
Timeline
Key Moments Across 7 Centuries
1
1172
The Judith Bridge — a wooden predecessor — connects both banks of the Vltava for the first time in Prague's history.
2
9 July 1357
Charles IV personally lays the foundation stone at 5:31 a.m. — an astrologically calculated moment. Construction is entrusted to Peter Parler.
3
c. 1402
The bridge is completed. For the following centuries, Czech kings cross it in coronation processions along the Royal Road.
4
1683–1714
The 30 baroque statues are installed at the initiative of the Jesuits. Works by sculptors Matthias Braun and Jan Brokoff transform the bridge into an open-air gallery.
5
1848
The bridge is officially named "Charles Bridge" — in honour of its founder. Before this, it was known simply as the Stone Bridge.
6
1908
Tram traffic across the bridge is banned — authorities fear the heavy trams will damage the ancient structure. Charles Bridge becomes permanently pedestrian.
The 30 Statues
An Open-Air Gallery Under the Sky
Until the late 17th century, the bridge was adorned with only a single cross. It was then that the Jesuits proposed lining it with statues of Catholic saints — and between 1683 and 1714, one of the finest collections of baroque sculpture in Europe was born along its balustrades.
Today most statues are replicas — the originals have been moved to the National Museum for preservation. The only original bronze statue remaining on the bridge is that of St. John of Nepomuk — and it has stood there since 1683.
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St. John of Nepomuk
The only original bronze statue on the bridge. A court priest thrown into the Vltava on the orders of King Wenceslaus IV. Touch the bronze relief and make a wish — legend promises it will come true.
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St. Luitgard
Considered by art historians to be the most artistically significant statue on the bridge. Created by 26-year-old Matthias Bernard Braun in 1710 — depicting a mystical vision of extraordinary emotional depth.
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Knight Bruncvík
Standing not on the bridge but on a pier below — the only secular figure in the ensemble. A legendary Czech knight who slew a lion. The favourite statue of poet Marina Tsvetaeva, who lived in Prague.
Charles Bridge with Prague Castle on the horizon — a view unchanged for centuries.
Legends
The Bridge Built with Eggs, Wine and Blood
Around Charles Bridge swirl legends as firmly embedded in Prague's culture as the stones are set into the bridge itself. Here are the most enduring ones.
1
The Secret of the Mortar
Legend holds that to ensure the bridge's strength, eggs, wine and milk — brought from across Bohemia — were added to the mortar. Researchers have found traces of cottage cheese, sugar, beer and ox blood in the original binding material. Perhaps that is why the bridge has stood for 7 centuries with barely any structural repair.
2
The Five Stars of St. John
Court priest Jan of Nepomuk refused to reveal the secrets of Queen Sophia's confession — even under torture. Thrown from the bridge into the Vltava, five shining stars appeared where he sank. Ever since, St. John is always depicted with five stars above his head.
3
The Wish-Granting Relief
To this day, thousands of visitors stop at St. John's statue, place their right hand on the bronze relief at its base and make a silent wish. The metal is worn to a mirror shine from centuries of touch. Legend promises: if the wish is sincere, it will be granted.
4
The Last Gas-Lit Bridge in the World
Charles Bridge is said to be the last bridge in the world that still preserves original 19th-century gas lanterns. At night, once the tourists have gone home, the bridge takes on an entirely different kind of magic — and feels genuinely medieval.
Practical Information
Everything You Need Before You Go
📋 Visitor Information
Location
Between Old Town and Malá Strana, over the Vltava — Praha 1
Entry
Free — the bridge is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
The Tower
The Old Town Bridge Tower has a paid observation deck — recommended for an additional panoramic view over the bridge and the city
Best Time
Before 08:00 or after 20:00 — fewer crowds, better light for photography
Getting There
Metro: Staroměstská (Line A) — Old Town side
Metro: Malostranská (Line A) — Malá Strana side
Tram: lines 17, 18 to Karlovy lázně stop
💡 Tips from Our Travellers
- Visit at sunrise — the bridge is nearly empty, the light turns the towers golden, and the photographs are unlike anything you will take during the day.
- Stop at the statue of St. John of Nepomuk — place your right hand on the bronze relief and make a wish. The metal is worn to a mirror finish by thousands of hands across the centuries.
- Look over the left parapet towards Malá Strana — a small metal cross marks the exact spot where St. John was thrown into the river.
- In the evening, the bridge is lit by original gas lanterns — among the last in the world. A late-night walk is a completely different experience from the daytime crowds.
- Do not rush — every one of the 30 statues has a story. Knowing the legends in advance transforms an ordinary walk into something memorable.
- Combine with Klementinum — just 3 minutes away on foot. Visit Klementinum early, then return to the bridge around 10:00 when the light is at its best.
Itinerary
Charles Bridge and the Rest of Prague
Charles Bridge is the natural centre of any walk through Prague. To the east lies Old Town Square with the Astronomical Clock; to the west, Malá Strana and Prague Castle; to the south, Klementinum. Everything is walkable.
A Suggested Day in Prague
Start at 07:30 with a walk across Charles Bridge — almost no tourists, sunrise colours the towers in orange and gold. Then head to the early tour of Klementinum at 09:00 (3 minutes on foot). Spend the afternoon at Old Town Square, the Jewish Quarter and Prague Castle.
With our organised Prague tour, Charles Bridge is included on Day 2 alongside a Bulgarian-speaking guide, Prague Castle and Klementinum. Everything is arranged — you simply enjoy it.
Questions & Answers
What Our Travellers Ask Most
Is Charles Bridge free to visit?
Yes — the bridge itself is completely free and open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The only paid entry is for the observation deck of the Old Town Bridge Tower, which offers an elevated view over the bridge and surrounding rooftops.
When is the best time to visit Charles Bridge?
Early morning before 08:00 or in the evening after 20:00. During the day, especially June–August, the bridge is packed and it is difficult to move freely or take photographs without crowds. Sunrise and sunset offer the most beautiful light and atmosphere.
Are the statues on Charles Bridge originals?
Most are replicas — the original baroque sculptures have been moved to the National Museum for preservation. The only original bronze statue remaining on the bridge is that of St. John of Nepomuk, which has stood there since 1683.
Does the wish-granting legend of St. John's statue really work?
Legend says that placing your right hand on the bronze relief at the base of St. John's statue and making a sincere wish will cause it to come true. The metal is polished to a mirror shine from centuries of hands. Whether it works is for you to discover.
Why was the bridge started at exactly 5:31 in the morning?
Charles IV's royal astrologer calculated that 9 July 1357 at 5:31 a.m. was the most auspicious moment. The date and time form the palindromic number sequence 1-3-5-7-9-7-5-3-1, reading the same forwards and backwards. Charles IV believed this would guarantee the bridge's eternal strength.
Is Charles Bridge included in the Megalo Travel Prague tour?
Yes — the bridge is part of Day 2 of our Prague tour, together with Prague Castle and Klementinum. The guide tells the stories and legends along the way in Bulgarian.