Charles Bridge and Its Statues

When you step onto Charles Bridge, you feel as if you’ve entered another world. Old stones beneath your feet, the Vltava flowing around you, and above you the panorama of Prague Castle. And among it all stand silent figures — Baroque statues that have watched over this place for centuries, observing every step, every story, every sunrise over Prague.

The bridge was founded by Charles IV in 1357 and for centuries served as the main connection between the Old Town and Lesser Town. Today it’s one of the most visited places in Prague, but if you pause for a moment and let the bustle fade, you’ll feel an atmosphere that hasn’t changed in six hundred years.

🌅 An Atmosphere You Won’t Find Anywhere Else

Charles Bridge has many faces.

• In the morning it’s quiet, gentle, almost magical.
• In the afternoon it comes alive with music, artists, and the energy of the city.
• In the evening it turns into a romantic scene, with statues glowing in the warm lamplight and the Vltava reflecting the colors of Prague Castle.

Whenever you come, the bridge draws you into a story that has been unfolding here for more than 600 years.

An open‑air Baroque gallery
There are 30 statues and sculptural groups on the bridge, most of them from the 18th century. Each has its own story, symbol, and legend. Some are dramatic, others gentle, some dark and others full of hope. And it’s this diversity that makes Charles Bridge a place where you naturally stop at each one.

✨ The most famous statues you shouldn’t miss
St. John of Nepomuk
The most iconic statue on the bridge. Touching the relief beneath it is said to bring good luck — perhaps the reason it shines so brightly.

The Statue of St. Luitgarde
One of the most beautiful Baroque works in Prague. Sculptor Braun captured the moment of mystical vision with incredible delicacy.

St. Christopher
The protector of travelers, as if still carrying the world on his shoulders.

Calvary
A dramatic sculptural group with a Hebrew inscription, marked by a complex history and strong symbolism.

St. John of Matha, St. Felix of Valois, and St. Ivan
A monumental trio with a captive — one of the largest sculptures on the bridge.

📍 Why You Shouldn’t Miss Charles Bridge

• It’s the oldest surviving bridge in Prague.
• It offers the most beautiful views of Prague Castle and the Vltava River.
• It’s the largest open‑air Baroque gallery in the Czech Republic.
• Every statue has its own story — together they create an atmosphere you won’t find anywhere else.
• It’s the place where most Prague adventures begin.