The Charles Bridge in Prague deserves every bit of fame it gets for gracing and connecting Prague – a quite unique town itself. The Charles Bridge spans the Vltava River (not the Danube!) and provides ample photo opportunities for selfie-crazed tourists or normal tourists! I got to check it out or walk on it to get places and want to share four tips to visit the Charles Bridge as an excuse to showcase my photos 🙂
A little history of the Charles Bridge in Prague
Construction of the bridge began in the 1300s to replace a prior one and it was finished in 1402. Now THAT is an old bridge! The King that ordered its construction was Charles, hence the name of the bridge, though that name is a relatively recent name actually. For hundreds of years, it was the only way to cross the river other than a boat.
Old relief carving of the city shows the bridge already crowded!
The bridge is about 600m long and has 16 arches holding it up. It was cool to see the ice breaking structures protecting the pillars though I did not see them “in action” as I went in the spring.
Tips to visit the Charges Bridge – #1 – the statues
My first tip is to not just look at the statues that grace either side of the bridge and snap a photo, but to read about them as you look at them. They are mainly not the original statues but replicas. Now, there are many (perhaps around 32?) so maybe you will not have time or attention span to do that with all of them (I didn’t!) but there is a lot of meaning and stories behind the people. These statues were placed there to convey stories or values, memorialize individuals, and perhaps to add grace to the bridge. Mind them!
One of the many statues on the bridge!
While the statues are the dominant “decoration” of the bridge, there are a few plaques or carvings worth noting (and reading of in advance!).
Carvingn depicting St. John Nepomuk being thrown off the bridge under orders of King Wenceslas
Tips to visit the Charges Bridge – #2 – the light and time of day
OK, my next tip is that there are many angles for a good photo but which angle is best varies with the time of day as the sun changes position in the sky. I recommend going at different times throughout the day so you can face the sun as you take that priceless group photo or selfie with different sides of the city behind you. And that includes nighttime!
Early in the morning – beautiful angle
Night time looking towards Prague Castle
Tips to visit the Charges Bridge – #3 – the underside
Of course, people spend the time during the visit ON the bridge. But, I ventured a little bit on the Prague Castle side of the bridge in the residential area BELOW the bridge. It was charming (and quiet at that early time of the day). I wonder how the residents cope with the hordes of us tourists all over the area during the day… In any case, you will find the entrance to staircases to take you down right on the bridge, or you can enter the area near the tower on the Prague Castle end of it. Get off the bridge and explore its “underside”!
Right under the bridge
Around the small neighborhood under the bridge
And you never know when you will spot wedding photo sessions!
Memorial to the 911 NYC firemen who died – unexpected find!
Tips to visit the Charges Bridge – #4 – when to spend time there
My top tip for visiting the Charles Bridge is to go early in the morning, before the city gets crowded with locals and tourists. I am an early riser and while the rest of my group woke up and got ready, since we were staying a block away from the bridge, I went for a walk and almost had the bridge all to myself!
The same shot in the afternoon would look very different as the sun would light the photo differently
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Hope these tips to visit the Charles Bridge in Prague are helpful. Enjoy checking out the Charles Bridge – and Prague!
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