Prague’s oldest bridge was built to replace the Judith Bridge that had been badly damaged by floods in 1342.
The Stone, or Prague, Bridge, called Charles Bridge since 1870, was begun in 1357 by Charles IV and was completed in 1402. The bridge is built of sandstone blocks, flanked at each end by fortified towers (Lesser Town Bridge Towers, Old Town Bridge Tower). From 1683 to 1928, 30 statues of saints were carved to decorate the bridge, the most famous of which is the statue of St John of Nepomuk.
Prague Charles Bridge Photos with People
Charles Bridge is a historic bridge that spans the Vltava River in Prague, Czech Republic. It was commissioned by King Charles IV and built between 1357 and 1391. The bridge was designed by architect Peter Parler and is considered a masterpiece of Gothic architecture. It is decorated with 30 statues of saints, which were added in the 17th and 18th centuries. Charles Bridge is a popular tourist attraction and a beloved symbol of Prague. It is also an important transportation route, connecting the city’s Old Town and Lesser Town with the Castle District and Hradčany.
Charles Bridge is decorated with 30 Baroque-style statues of saints, which were added to the bridge in the 17th and 18th centuries. The statues were created by a variety of artists and represent a mix of Czech, Bohemian, and European saints.
Here is a list of the statues and their corresponding saints:
St. John of Nepomuk (patron saint of Bohemia)
St. Anthony of Padua
St. Ignatius of Loyola
St. John of Matha (founder of the Order of the Most Holy Trinity)
St. Francis Xavier
St. Vincent de Paul
St. Philip Neri
St. Norbert of Xanten
St. Augustine of Hippo
St. John the Baptist
St. Catherine of Alexandria
St. Elizabeth of Hungary
St. Wenceslaus (patron saint of Czech Republic)
St. Adalbert of Prague (patron saint of Prague)
St. Vitus (patron saint of Czech Republic)
St. George
St. Vojtěch (patron saint of Czech Republic)
St. Ludmila (patron saint of Czech Republic)
St. Prokop (patron saint of Czech Republic)
St. Henry
St. Cosmas and St. Damian
St. Sebastian
St. Roch
St. Rosalia
St. John of the Cross
St. Mary Magdalene
St. Francis of Assisi
St. Clare of Assisi
St. Cross
St. Ludgarda
In addition to the statues, Charles Bridge is also adorned with a number of other decorative features, including street lamps, crosses, and coat-of-arms. The bridge is a popular destination for tourists, who come to see the statues and take in the beautiful views of the city.