Charles Bridge, Prague - Explore History, The Best Timings, & More

Charles Bridge is one of Prague's most iconic landmarks that'll make your trip to Europe truly unforgettable. Can you believe that this stunning medieval bridge, known locally as Karlův most, has been at the heart of Prague for over 600 years?

Let's dive into the Charles Bridge history, discover its legends, and find out why millions of visitors can't get enough of this magical place.

Charles Bridge Prague - Visitor Info

Facilities: Souvenir sellers and musicians during the day

Timings: Open 24 Hours

Tickets:

• Charles Bridge: Free
• Charles Bridge Museum: ₹ 903 (220 CZK)
• Old Town Bridge Tower: ₹1,060 (250 CZK)

Charles Bridge History & Interesting Legend

Before the famous Charles Bridge Prague stood over the Vltava River, there were only simple wooden crossings made from bound logs. The first wooden bridge here was mentioned as early as the 10th century.

Around 1170, King Vladislav II built the first stone bridge, named Judith’s Bridge, after his wife. It served Prague well for many years until 1342, when powerful spring floods and melting ice destroyed it.

Construction of the new bridge began soon after and was completed in 1402. At that time, it was known as the Stone Bridge or Prague Bridge. The name Charles Bridge came much later, in 1870, in honor of King Charles IV, who had ordered its construction.

Transport on the Bridge

Over the centuries, Charles Bridge has seen many forms of transport. In 1759, traffic rules were created, allowing people and carriages to move only on the right side. A horse-drawn tram began running in 1883, followed by an electric tram in 1905.

However, it was soon discovered that the heavy trams and later buses were damaging the structure. After several changes, public transport was finally stopped during World War II.

Since 1965, the Charles Bridge has been open only to pedestrians, allowing visitors to enjoy its beauty in peace.

Did Eggs Really Help Build the Charles Bridge?

From many legends of Charles Bridge, the most popular one involves eggs. According to legend, the builders mixed raw eggs into the mortar to make the bridge stronger. Since there weren’t enough eggs in Prague, the king ordered people from all over the kingdom to send more.

One small village, Velvary, misunderstood the order. Worried the eggs might break on the journey, they decided to send boiled ones instead. When the eggs arrived, the whole city of Prague laughed, and the story became part of local folklore that people still remember today.

But what really happened?

In 2008, scientists tested samples from the bridge and found traces of egg protein, suggesting the legend might be true. However, another test in 2010 found no egg at all; only a wine and milk mix was found.

Whatever the real recipe was, one thing’s certain: Charles Bridge was built with such care and quality that it’s still standing strong after hundreds of years.

Charles Bridge Prague Design

Charles Bridge Facts:

• Length: 515.76 metres
• Width: 9.5 metres
• Height: 13 metres
• Pillars: 15 in total

The Charles Bridge was built in 1357, about 15 years after floods destroyed Judith’s Bridge. Built with sandstone blocks and lime mortar, it was designed by Petr Parléř, the architect of St. Vitus Cathedral.

King Charles IV laid the foundation stone on July 9, 1357, at 5:31 a.m., a date chosen for its lucky number sequence 1 3 5 7 9 7 5 3 1.

Statues & Sculptures of Charles Bridge in Prague

The Charles Bridge in Prague isn’t just a walkway; it’s an open-air art gallery. Witness 30 beautiful Baroque sculptures and statues on Charles Bridge, most of them made of sandstone.

The first statue added was the bronze figure of St. John of Nepomuk in 1683, built to honor the saint who was thrown from the bridge into the Vltava River. Most of the other statues were added between 1707 and 1714, and the last one, of St. Cyril and Methodius, came much later in 1928.

Today, many of the original sculptures have been replaced with replicas to protect them from weather damage. The originals are safely kept at the Lapidarium of the National Museum and in Gorlice Hall at Vyšehrad.

Right Side Statues & Sculptures (from Old Town to Malá Strana)

• Virgin Mary and St. Bernard
• Madonna, St. Dominik, and Thomas Aquinas
• St. Cross with Calvary
• St. Anna
• St. Cyril and Methodius
• St. John the Baptist
• St. Norbert, Wenceslas, and Sigismund
• St. John of Nepomuk
• St. Antonín Paduánský
• St. Jude Thaddeus
• St. Augustine
• St. Kajetán
• St. Filip Benicius
• St. Vitus
• St. Cosmas and Damian with Salvatore

Left Side Statues & Sculptures (from Old Town to Malá Strana)

• St. Ivo
• St. Barbara, Margaret, and Elizabeth
• Pieta
• St. Joseph and Jesus
• St. Francis Xavier
• St. Christopher
• St. Francis Borgia
• St. Ludmila
• St. Francis of Assisi
• St. Vincent Ferrer and Procopius
• St. Nicholas of Tolentino
• St. Luitgardis
• St. Vojtěch (Adalbert of Prague)
• St. John of Matha, Felix of Valois, and Ivan
• St. Wenceslas

Bonus: Check Mapy.cz for a detailed description of each statue and sculpture.

Best Things to Do on Charles Bridge

Explore the best things to do at Prague’s Charles Bridge:

1. Stroll Across Historic Stone: Take your time walking across and soak in the Gothic arches and river views. For centuries, this was Prague's only way to cross the Vltava.
2. Admire Baroque Sculptures: Count the 30 baroque statues lining both sides. Each one tells a different story and adds to the bridge's dramatic character.
3. Touch Lucky Bronze: Rub the brass plaque under St. John of Nepomuk's statue. It was rubbed shiny by thousands of visitors hoping for good luck and a return trip to Prague.
4. Watch Enchanting Twilight: Catch the lamplighter at dusk as he lights the old gas lamps by hand. It's a special tradition most visitors miss.
5. Browse Handmade Treasures: Check out the local artists working right on the bridge. Shopping here means original art, not mass-produced tourist stuff.

Best Things to Do Near Charles Bridge

1. Visit Charles Bridge Museum: Step into this small museum near the bridge to learn about its 700-year history. See original medieval stones, construction tools, and discover how they built this masterpiece without modern technology; one of the best things to do near Charles Bridge.
2. Explore Old Town Bridge Tower: Don't just pass by this Gothic tower, go inside! Climb to the top for stunning panoramic views, and check out the medieval sculptures decorating its facade. It's one of the most beautiful Gothic gateways in Europe.

Best Time to Visit Charles Bridge

Explore the best time to visit Charles Bridge, a seasonal breakdown:

Winter (November-February)

• The bridge looks like a fairytale scene
• Expect snow-dusted statues and almost no crowds, especially in January and February
• Cover yourself in layers. It can get freezing (but incredibly peaceful)

Spring (March-May)

• Spring is a sweet spot for decent weather and manageable crowds
• The city wakes up from winter, and you get to enjoy it without summer madness
• Perfect if you want nice photos without freezing or sweating

Summer (June-August)

• Peak tourist season means crowds everywhere
• If you’re exploring during the summer, visit at sunrise; the bridge is beautiful but packed
• And the costs for flights and accommodations hike up

Suggested Read: Summer in Europe | Best Locations for Vacation

Autumn (September-October)

• Late September through October brings gorgeous fall colors and thinner crowds
• The light at golden hour is absolutely stunning for photos
• One of the best times overall; not too hot, not too cold, not too crowded

Best Times of the Day

• Early Morning (before 8 AM): Nearly empty bridge, soft lighting, perfect for photos
• Late Evening (after 8 PM): Beautiful atmosphere, fewer crowds than daytime, romantic vibes.

How to get to the Charles Bridge?

Wondering how to reach Charles Bridge location? Explore the various forms of transport you can use to get to the bridge.

How to Reach Charles Bridge by Flight

• Fly into Václav Havel Airport Prague (PRG), the main airport serving the city, located approximately 17 km from the center.
• From the airport, you can use ground transportation like a bus, metro, taxi, or tram.
• The airport is approximately 15.9 km from the bridge, and it takes 30-40 mins to reach.

How to Reach Charles Bridge by Bus & Metro

• Catch bus 59 to Nádraží Veleslavín.
• Then hop on the green metro line to Malostranská station and walk to the bridge (about 5-10 minutes).

How to Reach Charles Bridge by Tram

• Tram 18 stops at Karlovo Lazne (very close to the bridge).
• Tram 22 stops at Malostranská (also nearby).

Note: A standard 90-minute public transport ticket costs ₹170 (40 Kč) for buses, trams, and metro.

How to Reach Charles Bridge by Opting for a Private Europe Tour Package

• Don't want to stress about directions or tickets? Book a private Europe Tour Package.
• This option is great if you're tired, with kids, or short on time.
• The best part? You can explore other best places to visit in Prague, too!
• WanderOn’s Cost: Starts from ₹1,83,990 per person

How to Reach Charles Bridge by Taxi

• This is the quickest way to reach the bridge, though it's pricier than public transport.
• Taxis are readily available 24/7 at the official taxi stands right outside the arrivals terminal.
• Look for the yellow AAA Taxi or other licensed operators with clear pricing displayed.
• Additionally, you can easily hail taxis on the street, find them at taxi stands near major attractions, hotels, and train stations, or book through apps like Bolt, Uber, or Liftago.
• Cost: Between ₹5,051- 6,314 (1,200 to 1,500 Kč)

Interesting Facts About Charles Bridge

1. In 1621, the heads of 12 executed lords were displayed on the bridge as a warning.
2. From 1723 to 1866, it was lit with oil lamps, later replaced by gas lamps.
3. A toll was once charged for crossing the bridge. It was abolished in 1816.
4. Until 1841, it was the only bridge connecting both sides of the Vltava River.
5. The bridge got its official name, Charles Bridge, in 1870; earlier it was called the Stone Bridge or Prague Bridge.

Tips for Visiting Charles Bridge Prague

Explore the travel tips below to have the best experience at the Charles Bridge:

1. Early morning is the best time to visit Charles Bridge to avoid crowds and enjoy peaceful views
2. Capture sunrise photos with the Prague Castle in the backdrop
3. Go at night to see the bridge beautifully lit and less crowded
4. Avoid the 10 am to 4 pm rush when it's packed with tourists
5. Visit in winter or early spring for the quietest experience
6. Browse souvenir stalls for local art and handmade crafts
7. Climb the bridge towers for panoramic city views
8. Take a boat ride on the Vltava River for a new perspective
9. Touch the St. John of Nepomuk statue's brass plaques for good luck
10. Watch street artists and musicians adding charm to the vibe
11. Allow 30-60 minutes for a leisurely walk across
12. Walking across the bridge is completely free
13. Wear comfy shoes. The cobblestones can be uneven and slippery when wet
14. Keep an eye on your belongings. It's a busy tourist spot
15. The bridge connects Old Town and Lesser Town, perfect for exploring both sides

Charles Bridge, Prague - A Quick Summary

Charles Bridge isn't just a way to cross the river. It's a journey through time. From its medieval construction using eggs (yes, really!) to the 30 baroque statues watching over you, every step tells a story.

Whether you're rubbing the lucky bronze plaque, watching the lamplighter at dusk, or simply soaking in the Gothic beauty, this masterpiece captures everything magical about Prague. It's survived floods, wars, and centuries of footsteps, yet still stands strong as Europe's oldest stone bridge.

Free to visit, open 24/7, and surrounded by charming cafes and historic towers, Charles Bridge is more than a landmark. It's the soul of Prague waiting to welcome you.