Landmark · Staré Město / Malá Strana, Prague 1

Charles Bridge

14th-century stone bridge lined with Baroque statues, linking the Old Town and Malá Strana

Photo: William Zhang (@ceye2eye) / Unsplash

Discover Charles Bridge

Charles Bridge is where most visitors fall for Prague. The car-free stone span stretches over the Vltava between the Old Town and Malá Strana, with Prague Castle filling the skyline on one side and the spires of the Old Town on the other. Along its balustrades stand dark, weathered saints, most of them added in the early 18th century.

By day the bridge is a lively promenade of painters, musicians and souvenir stalls; at dawn it is almost empty and wonderfully atmospheric, with mist often rising from the river. Gothic bridge towers mark each end, and climbing one of them gives a superb view along the deck towards the castle.

Don’t miss

01Old Town Bridge Tower, the Gothic gateway at the eastern end
02Lesser Town Bridge Towers framing the western end
03Statue of St John of Nepomuk, the oldest on the bridge (1683)
0430 statues and sculptural groups along the balustrades
05Views of Prague Castle and the Vltava embankments

History & culture

The story of Charles Bridge

Charles IV laid the foundation stone in 1357, and construction was led by Petr Parléř, the master builder also associated with St Vitus Cathedral. The bridge was completed in the early 15th century, and it has been known as Charles Bridge since about 1870.

The Old Town Bridge Tower served as a symbolic triumphal gate on the coronation route of Bohemian kings to the cathedral. The statues were added between 1683 and 1928, beginning with St John of Nepomuk, a priest who was tortured to death in 1393 on the orders of King Wenceslas IV. Many statues on the bridge today are copies, with originals kept in the National Museum's Lapidarium and in the Gorlice hall at Vyšehrad. Cars stopped using the bridge in 1965.

Local life & traditions

The bridge belongs to Prague's daily rhythm as much as to its postcards. Licensed artists and musicians work along the deck, and the St John of Nepomuk tradition of touching the bridge for luck or a wish is kept up by visitors and locals alike. Both the bridge and its sculptures are protected as a National Cultural Monument.

Things to do

Experience it like a local

Walk the bridge at least twice: once early in the morning, when you can appreciate the statues and the views in peace, and again at dusk as the lamps come on and the castle is floodlit. Climb the Old Town Bridge Tower or the Lesser Town Bridge Tower for an elevated view along the deck.

Many visitors look for the small brass cross with five stars set into the balustrade: tradition says that touching each star with a finger will make a wish come true. From the Malá Strana end, steps lead down to Kampa island and the riverside paths.

When to go

The bridge is open at all hours. Sunrise and early morning are the best times for photographs and quiet, especially in spring and autumn, when morning mist over the Vltava is common. From late morning to evening in summer it is very crowded. Winter brings fewer people and, occasionally, snow on the statues.

Plan your visit

Verified information

Dimensions (as published): 515.76 m long and 9.5 m wide, resting on 16 arches Source: prague.eu ↗
Statues: 30 sculptures and sculptural groups on the balustrade, most dating from 1706–1714 Source: prague.eu ↗
Status: National Cultural Monument; pedestrian-only since cars stopped crossing in 1965 Source: prague.eu ↗
UNESCO World Heritage: Part of the Historic Centre of Prague, inscribed in 1992 Source: whc.unesco.org ↗

Checked against the sources on 27 October 2026. Opening times and fees can change — confirm before you go.

Travel tips

Go at sunrise for photos without crowds; by mid-morning the bridge is packed.
Keep valuables secure in the crowds, as on any busy tourist thoroughfare.
The bridge towers involve narrow, steep staircases with no lift.
Combine the bridge with Malá Strana and the castle on one side, or the Old Town Square on the other, as a single walking route.

General guidance from our specialists, not official information.

Around Charles Bridge: food, markets & places to stay

At the Old Town end, Karlova Street leads towards Old Town Square, and the embankment offers views back to the bridge. At the Malá Strana end, steps lead down to Kampa island and its riverside park, and Mostecká Street continues up to Malostranské náměstí and St Nicholas Church. Tram stops along the embankments on both banks connect the bridge with the rest of the city.

Charles Bridge & what’s nearby

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The astronomical clock on the Old Town Hall with the twin spires of Týn Church across an almost empty Old Town Square

Landmark

Staré Město, Prague 1 · 0.6 km away

Charles Bridge in pictures

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Sources & verification

This guide was researched from the sources below and reviewed by our team on 27 October 2026. Facts under “Verified information” link to the page they were checked on; travel tips are general guidance. Photos are credited on each image.

Charles Bridge — Prague City Tourism (prague.eu)
Visit our towers — Prague City Tourism
Historic Centre of Prague — UNESCO World Heritage Centre
Charles Bridge — Wikipedia

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