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| 3345 Charles Bridge and city skyline in the morning |
Charles Bridge is an historic bridge that crosses the Vltava river in Prague. It is 621m long and nearly 10m wide, following the example of the Stone Bridge in Regensburg, and was built as a bow bridge with 16 arches shielded by ice guards. Protected by three bridge towers, it is decorated by a continuous alley of 30 statues and statuaries, originally erected between 1683 and 1714. They depict various saints and patron saints venerated at that time. Beginning in 1965, all of the statues have been systematically replaced by replicas.
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| 2868 Charles Bridge and city skyline on sunset |
The construction of the bridge started in 1357 under the auspices of King Charles IV, and finished in the beginning of the 15th century. It replaced the old Judith Bridge built 1158-1172 that had been badly damaged by a flood in 1342. This new bridge was originally called Stone Bridge or Prague Bridge but has been Charles Bridge since 1870.As the only means of crossing the river Vltava (Moldau) until 1841, it was the most important connection between Prague Castle and the city's Old Town and adjacent areas.
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