Linking Old Town and Malá Strana, Charles Bridge carries pedestrians over the Vltava on 16 Gothic arches. Stone piers, ice breakers, and Baroque statuary face floods, freeze‑thaw, and heavy use. Continuous monitoring, stone repairs, and controlled street trade preserve Prague’s emblematic promenade.
Founded under Charles IV, the bridge’s sandstone arches rest on robust piers with cutwaters. Towers guard both ends, framing entries.
Seventeenth‑ and eighteenth‑century statuary adds a sculptural layer; originals move to museums as replicas safeguard the route.
Floods and ice test piers and parapets; scour protection, joint repairs, and traffic management sustain longevity.
Sunrise and late evening offer calmer crossings; explore Kampa Island and nearby lanes.
