Charles Bridge is the historic Prague bridge begun in 1357 that crosses the Vltava River and is lined with Baroque statues.
It replaced the earlier Judith Bridge, which was damaged by a flood in 1342. Construction began during the reign of Charles IV, Holy Roman Emperor and king of Bohemia. The bridge was originally known as Prague Bridge and later Stone Bridge before acquiring its present name.
The bridge connects Prague’s Old Town with Lesser Town beneath Prague Castle. Its stone structure has 16 arches and is protected by towers at both ends. The statues seen today are mostly Baroque works installed from the late 17th century onward; many originals are preserved in museums and replaced by replicas outdoors.
A common mix-up is the bridge’s completion date. It was usable in the early 15th century, but work and finishing continued after the ceremonial foundation date. The Vltava is also called the Moldau in German.