Prague Charles Bridge details – interesting information and facts

charles-bridge-prague

Charles Bridge (Karlův most) is an historic bridge that crosses the Vltava river in Prague, Czech Republic. Its construction started in 1357 under the auspices of the famous King Charles IV. This new bridge was originally called Stone Bridge (Kamenný most) or Prague Bridge (Pražský most). And, as the only means of crossing the river Vltava (Moldau) until 1841, Charles Bridge was therefore the most important connection between Prague Castle and the city’s Old Town. Prague Charles Bridge details:

Charles bridge is 621 metres (2,037 ft) long and nearly 10 metres (33 ft) wide, following the example of the Stone Bridge in Regensburg, it was built as a bow bridge with 16 arches shielded by ice guards. It is protected by three bridge towers, two of them on the Lesser Quarter side and the third one on the Old Town side.  The bridge is decorated by a continuous alley of 30 statues and statuaries, most of them baroque-style.

Prague Charles Bridge details

The Charles Bridge has mathematical significance

Charles IV laid the first stone of this famous monument at 5.31 am on July 9, 1357. The notoriously superstitious king was into astrology and numerology, and chose this date because of its written form: 1-3-5-7-9-7-5-3-1 (year, day, month, time). Add this information to the stunning views and saintly statues, and Charles Bridge is clearly a required item on any list of what to see in Prague.

Prague Charles Bridge details

The most famous sculptures on this bridge:

• John of Nepomuk – created by M. Braun, F. M. Brokof.
• Christopher – created by Emanuel Max. St. Christofer was strongman who came from Canaan. He served God – he carried on his shoulders pilgrims to the other side of the wild river. He carried also Christ who has taken the form of a small child. So this scene shows the sculpture.
• Francis Xavier – Ferdinand Maxmilián Brokoff formed the statue 23 years.
• Ludmila with a little Wenceslas – St. Ludmila has in her left hand veil, through which she was strangled, her right hand pointing in the Bible in which a little Václav is learning to read.
• Vincenc Ferrer and St. Prokop – designed by Ferdinand Maxmilian Brokoff as well
• knight Bruncvík – Bruncvík owned a magic sword, which, according to legend, at his request itself knocking heads enemies. He buried him on the Charles Bridge – it has picked St Wenceslas in the place where his horse’s hoof breaks ground on a bridge on the way to help the Czech country. Sword destroying enemies and will bring peace in Bohemia.
• Ivo – created by Bernard Braun. St. Ivo is patron of lawyers.
• the Holy Crucifix and Calvary – crucifix, the first bridge ornament, stood here already during the reign of Charles IV.
• Cyril and Methodius – sculpture expresses the missionary activity of of the missionaries and the idea of Slavic unity.
• Barbara, Margaret and Elizabeth – created by John Brokoff. The sculpture of “holy virgins”.
• John the Baptist – patron of the the Hospitallers – Knights of Malta, has at the left side crucifix and shell, reminiscent of the Baptism of Christ
• Vitus – St. Vitus is the patron of the Czech country.