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 | Prague Charles Bridge Reviews | Tips 1 - 10 of 515 |  |
The cause of St. John of Nepomuck's death has been an issue of controversy in the Church since the XVIII century. A few historians mentioned two Johns of Nepomuch -- one was the father confessor of Queen Johanna and the other, Vicar-General of Prague -- both were thrown into the Vltava to drown, their deaths were ten years apart.
However, most scholars believe the XIV century records showing there was only one John and his death was caused by both aforementioned reasons.
John was born in 1340 in Nepomuck, Pilsen, Bohemia. He became Vicar-General for the Archdiocese of Prague in 1390. The discord between John and King Wenceslas IV happened after the vicar steadily refused the King’s request in divulging the Queen’s confession. As if he did not think that was enough to infuriate the King, the vicar also expressed his sentiment by publicly declared, "Only he who rules well is worthy of the name of king."
Not known as a good sport, King Wenceslas found an excellent opportunity to revenge. He ordered that another abbot would not be elected when Abbot Rarek of Kladrau passed on because the abbey church would be turned into a cathedral. Completely ignored the King’s order, the vicar confirmed Odelenus as the new abbot. When the news reached the King, all persons involved in the election were arrested.
Although his council did not handle torture well, John of Nepomuch refused to yield even when parts of his body were burned. On Mach 20, 1393, the King ordered that the vicar be chained and led through the city with a block of wood in his mouth. When the parade ended, John of Nepomuck was thrown from the Karlsbrücke into the river Vltava. He was later buried in Prague Cathedral.
In 1719, during the gathering of evidences for the beatification, the vicar’s grave was opened and his tongue was found intact.
St. John Nepomucene was canonized in 1729. His statues were erected in several locations in Prague, but the most visited one is on Charles Bridge. Leave a Comment
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Over 600 years old, Charles Bridge is the oldest bridge in the city. Thirty statues of saints line the bridge.
It seems like all roads lead to Charles Bridge...meaning all tourists seem to end up here at the same time each afternoon...making the bridge at times the place NOT to be if you have an aversion to crowds....not to mention a dream to pickpockets.
But early morning or in the evening the bridge can be a magical place to visit. We spent a couple of hours standing near the bridge one evening, waiting for the sun to set to try and take that elusive night shot of the bridge. How did we do? Leave a Comment
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The Charles Bridge, or Karluv most, was built over the Vltava River, in 1357, although there was an earlier bridge which collapsed during a flood. Considering the weight of tourists it has to bear, it's surprising this one hasn't collapsed too! Part of it did fall into the river in 1890, but the basic structure is built of solid stone.
The bridge, which is 520m long and 9m wide, was named after the Czech king, Charles IV.
At the entrance to it is the impressive Old Town Bridge Tower, which was added in 1373. The thirty statues which line the sides of the bridge were added much later, in the seventeenth century.
Even more recent additions are the vendors, artists and buskers who make their living off the thousands of tourists wending there way from the Old Town to the Castle and back. Leave a Comment Directions: Connecting the Old Town and Lesser Town. Just follow the crowds.
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Karlov Most or Charles Bridge as it is more commonly known is a fantastic place to people watch!!
There are street sellers, artists and street musicians all lining the magnificent bridge.
Charles Bridge is a stone Gothic bridge that connects the Old Town and Mala Strana.
It was originally called the Stone bridge.
There are towers standing on each end of the bridge and these can be climbed for a view of the bridge form above.
There are statues on the bridge and touching one of these will ensure good luck and guarantee your return to Prague. It must be true as we have just returned for the second time!! Leave a Comment Directions: Connecting Old Town and Lesser Town
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On Mala Strana south side of Charles Bridge, on the pillar stands a statue of the knight with golden sward – prince Bruncvik, who, acording to legend, ruled the Czech people in ancient times. Leave a Comment Directions: Connectiong Old Town and Lesser Town.
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The Old Town Bridge Tower marks the entrance toKARLUV MOST or CHARLES BRIDGE. The 500 meter long stone bridge is an exceptional example of medieval building technique with sixteen arches and a Sculpture Gallery. Works include 28 statues of the Saints by artists lik Braun and Brokoff.
The Bridge foundation stone was laid in 1357 by King Charles IV. Leave a Comment Directions: Connectiong Old Town and Lesser Town
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Now pedestrianised and connecting the Old Town to the Little Quarter, the visually stunning Charles Bridge was commissioned by Charles IV in 1357 to replace the Judith Bridge, whose only remains is the Judith Tower on the Little Quarter side after it was destroyed by a flood in 1342.
Designed by Peter Parler, the bridge's 30 famous statues began to be added to the butress plinths over a century later with the first one being St John Nepomuk in 1683, a rival of Jan Hus he came to a very sticky end with his tortured body being thrown from this very bridge...
After that the bridge's plinths filled up very quickly with representations of some of the countries most famous Saints. Indeed so many statues have been created that half a dozen spares reside in the Casemates under the Vysehrad Fortress (see my off the beaten track tip!).
The Bridge is 'bookended' by two impressive towers which can both be visited and afford excellent elevated views of the bridge and the river below... Leave a Comment Directions: Connecting Old Town and Lesser Town
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The oldest Prague bridge built in the place of the Judita's Bridge that had been badly damaged by a flood in 1342. The Stone or Prague Bridge, was founded by Charles IV in the year 1357. By the latest researches the construction was started by Master Otto and finished by Peter Parler in 1402. Both ends of the bridge are fortified by towers (the Lesser Town Bridge Towers, the Old Town Bridge Tower). From 1683 to 1928 thirty sculptures and sculptural groups of the saints were gradually set on the bridge piers. The bridge is 515 meters long and 10 meters wide. Leave a Comment Directions: Connecting Old Town and Lesser Town
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Charles Bridge is a stone Gothic bridge that connects the Old Town and Malá Strana.
Charles Bridge is a must see in Prague and is at the top of the list. It was a great experience visiting the bridge and admiring the views across the whole of Prague. As you can see from the photos it gets very busy during the day.
The best time to visit when you want to see it alone is at sunset where you can view the beautiful Prague Castle as the sun sets.
The bridge is now a pedestrian zone only but in the past was used by cars and trams. Directions: Connection to Old Town and Lesser Town
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The Gothic-style stone Charles Bridge crosses the Vltava between Mala Strana and the Old Town, perhaps the most heavily touristed site in Prague. Construction began in 1357 under the order of Holy Roman Emporer Charles IV and supervised by Petr Parler who had worked on the St. Vitus Cathedral. It is over 500 yards long and 10 yards wide with 30 statues along the sides - monuments to multiple predominantly Czech saints as well as Jesus and the Madonna. Today the statues are largely reproductions, the originals removed for safekeeping from environmental damage to adjacent museums The ancient western and eastern towers dominate the bridge as well as the surrounding areas of town. Near the western end, a small inconspicuous staircase leads down to Kampa Island, an important shortcut. The approaches to the bridge are marred by souvenier stands, artisans, assorted hawkers of boat tours and concerts and whatnot, and hordes of tour groups. The bridge itself, while crowded, appeared mostly free of commerce on our visit, thankfully, allowing us to appreciate the remarkable statuary as well as the views on both sides.
Since the prior Judith bridge has been destroyed by a flood, legend states that eggs were used to thicken the mortar holding the large stones together. So far so good.
A second legend states that astrologers picked the exact moment for Charles IV to lay the foundation stone - 9 July 1357 at 0531 forming the palindrome 135797531. Leave a Comment Directions: Connectiong Old Town and Lesser Town
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