Czech - Charles Bridge

Charles Bridge is a famous historical bridge that crosses the Vltava river in Prague, Czech Republic. Its construction started in 1357 under the auspices of King Charles IV, and finished in the beginning of the 15th century. The bridge is decorated by a continuous alley of 30 statues and statuaries, most of them baroque-style, erected around 1700.

Here you can see the water stains from the flooding that happened just a month before we came...

note the dark brown vs light brown of the lowest section

At the end of World War II, a barricade was built in the Old Town bridge tower gateway making the bridge only available to foot traffic. During the day it is a very busy place, with painters, owners of kiosks and other traders alongside numerous tourists crossing the bridge.

There was this cool quartet playing...

and a guy playing the dulcimer...

some impressive views from the bridge

The avenue of 30 mostly baroque statues were erected between 1683 and 1714. They depict various saints and patron saints venerated at that time. The most prominent Bohemian sculptors of the time took part in decorating the bridge, such as Matthias Braun, Jan Brokoff, and his sons Michael Joseph and Ferdinand Maxmilian.

Beginning in 1965, all of the statues have been systematically replaced by replicas, and the originals have been exhibited in the lapidarium of the National Museum.

This releif depicts St. John of Nepomuk, who was tortured and thrown into the river Vltava from Charles Bridge in Prague at the behest of Wenceslaus IV.

the crucifix

one of the guard towers