Charles Bridge
A medieval stone arch bridge spanning the Vltava River, Charles Bridge connected Prague Castle to the Old Town for nearly five centuries. Built under King Charles IV, it became the vital artery of Central European trade and remains one of Europe’s most recognizable monuments.
At a glance
Charles Bridge is a 516-metre-long medieval crossing of the Vltava River in Prague, constructed between 1357 and the early 15th century. The bridge features 16 stone arches protected by ice guards, three defensive towers, and a distinctive line of 30 baroque statues adorning its length. Until 1841, it was Prague’s only river crossing and the primary link between the castle and the city’s eastern districts.
History
King Charles IV commissioned the bridge’s construction in 1357 to replace the Judith Bridge, which had stood since 1158–1172 before suffering severe damage in a 1342 flood. Work continued into the early 15th century. The bridge was originally called Stone Bridge or Prague Bridge; it acquired its present name only in 1870.
The bridge’s position on Prague’s historic coronation route elevated its importance beyond commerce. It served as the sole means of crossing the Vltava until the 19th century, making it essential to Prague’s role as a trade corridor between Eastern and Western Europe.
What you see
Nearly 10 metres wide and 516 metres long, the bridge follows the design of the Stone Bridge in Regensburg as a bow bridge with 16 arches. Ice guards shield the arches from river debris. Three towers provide defensive protection: two on the Lesser Quarter side (including the Malá Strana Bridge Tower) and one on the Old Town side, the Old Town Bridge Tower.
The bridge’s most distinctive feature is its continuous gallery of 30 statues and statuettes, predominantly baroque in style. Originally erected around 1700, all have been replaced with replicas for preservation purposes.
Cultural significance
Charles Bridge is among Europe’s most celebrated medieval monuments, representing both engineering achievement and artistic heritage. Its statuary collection transforms the bridge into an open-air gallery reflecting Prague’s spiritual and artistic traditions. The crossing remained central to Prague’s identity for nearly five centuries.
Key facts
- Country: Czech Republic
- City: Prague
- Coordinates: 50.08638889, 14.41194444
- Length: 516 metres (1,693 feet)
- Width: nearly 10 metres (33 feet)
- Construction period: 1357 to early 15th century
- Arches: 16 stone arches with ice guards
- Towers: 3 (two on Lesser Quarter side, one on Old Town side)
- Statuary: 30 baroque-style figures
Practical information & getting there
Charles Bridge is located in central Prague, connecting the Old Town (Staré Město) and Lesser Quarter (Malá Strana) districts. The bridge is freely accessible to pedestrians at all times. A major structural restoration project began in late 2019 and is expected to continue for approximately twenty years, with an estimated cost of 45–60 million CZK.
Sources & resources
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