Bridges of all types and sizes have been turned into functional monuments that do everything from allow visitors to get an incredible view of the city to figuratively transport them into a different era and location. The appeal of the Charles Bridge in the Czech Republic is related to both of those things but has gone beyond such aesthetics and perspectives to create an attraction just as practical as it is timeless for both residents and tourists.
Connecting the Old Town with the Lesser Town in Prague for Centuries
Originally known as the Prague or Stone Bridge, the Charles Bridge connects the Old Town with the Lesser Town in Prague and has done so for centuries. Begun back in 1357 to replace a bridge that had collapsed in a flood, construction was finally finished in 1402. It was officially renamed Charles Bridge after King Charles IV in 1870.
The bridge sits in the shadow of Prague Castle, and for hundreds of years was the only bridge that linked both sections of the city. Access to the Charles Bridge was protected by bridge towers, which still reside on either side. The bridge remained an important thoroughfare for the city through the modern era and even featured a tram. In 1950 the bridge was pedestrianized and is now crowded with visitors who are there to see the most popular attractions on the bridge and what made it into a monument.
A series of Baroque statues adorn the bridge’s balustrade, which started with the installation of the bronze statue of St. John of Nepomuk in 1683. Statues that depict various saints and other Christian figures and imagery line both the north and south sides of the bridge. While replicas have replaced all of the original statues, those pieces can be seen at the Lapidarium, a museum at the Prague Exhibition Grounds.
The popularity of the statues has helped turned the Charles Bridge into something much more than a means to connect the city. Their presence has created experiences for both residents and visitors that are as simple as they are powerful.
Experiences and Aesthetics
The bronze statue of St. John of Nepomuk was the first piece installed, and there was a specific reason his statue was the first. In 1393, Nepomuk was a bishop whose body was thrown off the Charles Bridge after being tortured to death. Reliefs underneath the statue show this event, but visitors have been able to have a much more personal experience with the piece and event. Touching the relief is supposed to bring luck, and countless people touching it over the centuries have polished it to a shine.
As a result of the popularity of this initial statue, twenty additional ones were added in the early eighteenth century, with the most recent piece being installed in 1938. The most prominent sculptors of the time took part in creating these pieces, which helped expand their popularity. While the statues vary in quality, pieces like the St. John of Nepomuk and Sculpture group of St. Lutgarde have been particularly well received. Various lists of all the statues are available, which detail all of the pieces on both the south and north sides of the bridge.
While this alley of statues forms a unique artistic harmony with the underlying Gothic bridge, aesthetics are just part of what has made the Charles Bridge such an attraction for both residents and tourists. The variety of saints and scenes depicted along the bridge allow visitors to form a personal connection with the pieces, whether that’s with a statue of Saint Christopher or a piece that depicts the Lamentation of Christ. Visitors can admire the depiction of the blind Flemish nun Lutgarde who sees the crucified Jesus in a vision, just as easily as they can interact with the statue of St. Francis of Assisi, or see what were once new statues like the ones created for Cyril and Methodius that replaced a statue of Saint Ignatius, which was displaced by a flood.
All of these pieces continue to give people a reason to visit the bridge, and as such have helped pull in audiences from across the city and world to drive a tremendous economic and cultural impact for Prague as a whole.
Defining the Energy and Identity of Prague
As one of the top attractions in Prague, the Charles Bridge has established itself an experience for everyone. Czech artists, musicians and souvenir vendors line both sides of the bridge year-round, providing residents and tourists with a reason to visit.
This popularity can be seen in the number of products that incorporate the Charles Bridge into them, which range from tourist items like magnets to more practical items like clothing. The bridge is also a key stop for tours of all types that are led by local guides, showcasing the direct and indirect impact on the economy of the city.
The cultural impact it has opened up for centuries is even more important though. The Lesser Town is one of the most historic regions in the city, while the Old Town contains the Old Town Square and Astronomical Clock. In connecting these different areas of the city, the Charles Bridge has and continues to unite the city in countless ways that would perhaps have been destroyed or forgotten about if the bridge were just like any other.
All of this is driven by the experiences enabled by the statues on the Charles Bridge, and just like other attractions that are open at night, visitors get a whole new sense of the monument when the sun goes down. Prague has a different energy and identity at night, and the Charles Bridge has influenced how that energy and identity continues to define the city.
The Charles Bridge has had a considerable impact on the culture and economy of Prague, all of which stems from an effort to honor the history of the bridge, and then build on a legacy that ensured it would forever be more than just a bridge.
A Legacy That Resonates Across the Centuries
For many centuries, the Charles Bridge was just a bridge that connected different parts of Prague with one another. The sculptures that first began to adorn it in 1683 have provided residents and visitors with a reason to come see the bridge itself and ensured it became an important destination that would benefit the city in more ways than one.
Those sculptures have come to create a legacy for the Charles Bridge and for Prague that will continue to resonate across the centuries.
