What to do on Charles Bridge?

It doesn’t matter whether you play our outdoor escape game with a quiz or just go for a walk on the Charles Bridge. Below you will find some tips and basic knowledge:

How long does it take to walk on the Charles Bridge?

You can cross the bridge in 10-20 minutes on a very slow walk. If you play the city game “Interactive Charles Bridge Quiz”, the walk and the tasks will take you about 90 minutes. Charles Bridge is 515 m long and 9.5 m wide, the walkway is 13 m above the normal level of the Vltava River.

Is it possible to cross the Charles Bridge on foot?

The Bridge is for pedestrians only. Cyclists must dismount their bicycles and guide their bicycles so as not to endanger pedestrians crossing the bridge. 

The bridge is, of course, accessible for wheelchair users from the Malostranská and Old Town Bridge Towers. In the Lesser Town, the bridge can be accessed via a stone staircase. These are in two places. From “Na Kampe” and “Saská” streets.

When to visit Charles Bridge?

The bridge is accessible 24 hours a day. It depends on the weather, of course, but there are always less people on the bridge in the morning. During the main summer tourist season, up to 30,000 people a day on average walk across Prague’s Charles Bridge.

What to touch on the Charles Bridge?

There are more places on the Charles Bridge that people touch for luck. Because they are made of metal and people often rub against them, they are shiny, polished, you can safely recognize them by that. Secret wishes are fulfilled by a bronze cross set into a marble slab. The remains of the saint’s body are said to lie beneath the slab in the railing.

According to a modern legend invented by a tourist guide, the statue of John of Nepomuk is also said to bring good luck. Specifically, the relief at the bottom of the statue with the image of Wenceslas IV and his hunting dog.

What makes the Charles Bridge so famous?

Until the middle of the 19th century, the bridge was the only way to cross the Vltava River in Prague. Thanks to the stone bridge, Prague became an important stop on European trade routes. The Charles Bridge connects the Old Town with the Lesser Town.

What is the story of Charles Bridge in Prague?

Charles Bridge was built on the site of the original Judith Bridge from the second half of the 12th century.  Judith’s Bridge was destroyed by a flood in 1342. It took 55 years to build Charles Bridge. Its author was the architect Petr Parléř. Charles Bridge is an important part of the Royal Route. Future Czech kings were crowned at Prague Castle along the Royal Route until the 19th century. It starts at the Powder Gate, continues along Celetna Street to Old Town Square and then to Charles Street. It then crosses Charles Bridge to Lesser Town Square and continues along Nerudova Street to Prague Castle.

What is unique about the Charles Bridge?

Under the open sky there is a unique sculpture gallery. Especially the sunlight during the day and the changes in the weather therefore give the individual sculptures different facial expressions and allow you to observe the often hidden details of the sculptures. They speak to you again and again with their stories.

How many statues are on the Bridge ?  Why are there sculptures?

There are a total of 30 statues on the Charles Bridge. Probably the oldest mention of the sculptural decoration dates back to 1419.

It is a statue of the crucified Christ. In reports from the middle of the 15th century, an equestrian statue of George of Poděbrady in the middle of the bridge is mentioned. In 1683, a statue of St. John of Nepomuk was erected on the bridge on the occasion of the 300th anniversary of his alleged death.

In 1700 a statue of St. Wenceslas was added to the bridge. This began the decoration of the entire bridge with statues of saints and by 1714 another 26 statues were placed on Charles Bridge. The youngest statue dates from 1938.