Charles Bridge Prague – Complete Visitor's Guide | Megalo Travel

Charles Bridge
in Prague

516 metres of stone over the Vltava, 30 baroque statues and 7 centuries of history — the bridge walked by kings, armies, artists and millions of travellers. Prague's most enduring symbol is waiting for you.

📍 Old Town → Malá Strana 🆓 Free Entry 🕰 Open 24/7 📸 Top Photo Spot

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1357Year of Construction

516 mLength

30Baroque Statues

16Arches over the Vltava

Four Reasons to Fall in Love with Charles Bridge

From an astrologically calculated construction to legends of wishes granted — every step of the 516 metres holds a story.

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The Bridge of Charles IV

Built at an astrologically precise moment

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 the same 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.

👑 Charles IV 🔢 Palindrome 1357971 🏗️ Architect Peter Parler

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The 30 Baroque 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.

Most statues today are replicas — the originals have been moved to the National Museum. The only original bronze statue remaining on the bridge is that of St. John of Nepomuk, standing there since 1683.

🗿 30 statues 🏛️ 1683–1714 🎨 Matthias Braun

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The Legend of the Wishes

The bronze relief 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 at the spot where he sank.

To this day thousands of visitors place their right hand on the bronze relief at the base of the statue and make a silent wish. The metal is worn to a mirror shine from centuries of touch.

⭐ Five stars 🤲 Wishes granted 🥉 Original bronze since 1683

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Sunrise and Gas Lanterns

The bridge is different twice a day

Before 08:00 the bridge is nearly empty — the light turns the towers golden, and the photographs are unlike anything taken during the day.

In the evening, once the tourists have gone home, Charles Bridge is illuminated by original 19th-century gas lanterns — among the last in the world. A late-night walk is a completely different experience.

🌅 Sunrise before 08:00 🏮 19th-c. gas lanterns 📸 Top photo moment

Before You Go — Practical Information

Everything you need to know about entry, transport and the best time to visit Charles Bridge.

📋 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

Bridge Tower The Old Town Bridge Tower has a paid observation deck — recommended for an additional panoramic view over the bridge and rooftops

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

Nearby Klementinum Baroque Library — 3 min walk · Old Town Square — 8 min walk

💡 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 on foot. Visit Klementinum early, then return to the bridge around 10:00 when the light is at its best.

7 Centuries of History in 5 Moments

From a wooden crossing to an eternal symbol of Prague — the story of Charles Bridge spans nearly a millennium.

1172

The Judith Bridge — a wooden predecessor — connects both banks of the Vltava for the first time in Prague's history.

9 July 1357

Charles IV personally lays the foundation stone at 5:31 a.m. — an astrologically calculated moment. Construction is entrusted to the 23-year-old architect Peter Parler.

c. 1402

The bridge is completed. For the following centuries, Czech kings cross it in coronation processions along the Royal Road.

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.

1908

Tram traffic across the bridge is banned — authorities fear the heavy trams will damage the ancient structure. Charles Bridge becomes permanently pedestrian.

Frequently Asked Questions about Charles Bridge

Is Charles Bridge free to visit?

Yes — the bridge 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 panoramic view over the bridge and the 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 did construction begin 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 your language.

Ready to walk
Charles Bridge yourself?

Together with Klementinum, Prague Castle, a medieval dinner show and an English-speaking guide — all in one organised tour from Megalo Travel.

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