karluv most

Karluv Most / The Charles Bridge

Karluv Most (The Charles Bridge) is a curving stone bridge that crosses the Vltava river in the center of Prague. The bridge connects Staromestske (The Olde Town) and Mala Strana (The Little Quarter). It was founded by King Charles IV in 1357 and completed at the beginning of the 15th century. When the bridge was first made, egg was used to hold the stones together.

The large stone statues that line up on either side are my favorite feature of Karluv Most.

The Charles Bridge is a Big tourist draw.

A picture of foot traffic on Karluv Most. Hradcany (Prague Castle) can be seen in the background.
Shortly after sunrise, tourist traffic begins - and it lasts until around midnight. The bridge is the setting for many musicians and vendors. Walking from one end to another you could purchase marionettes, paintings, woodwork, caj (tea), caricatures, and jewelry. And you could watch/listen to performers like guitarists, dixieland bands, wine-glass musicians, entertaining dogs, and marionette musicians.

Here's a bridge entertainer who's marionette was actually the entertainer: playing some classical licks on the guitar.

Appearing as if they all coincidently met there, this group of guys formed one of the Bridge's main musical bands. They featured dixieland type music - and it was good.

This musicician was playing the water-filled glasses. His instrument sounded really nice (he used some sort of amplifier). He played a nice version of Simon and Garfunkel's `Scarborough Fair'.

Looking up at the Bridge's east entower.

A look at the west endtower. (taken from my hotel room)

Looking west from the Charles Bridge at night. Hradcany can be seen on the right and lights from Tom Cruise's `Mission Impossible' movie are on the left.

The Vltava had a small branch that flowed around Kampa. Here it is, viewed from the Charles Bridge. Swans often swim here.

This picture was taken on the bridge before sunrise on the day I left Praha. My Mom is in the foreground, the west endtower is on the left, and Hradcany is in the background.

Looking down the bridge before sunrise.

One of the statues lining the sides of the bridge.

A look at the west endtower and Hradcany, from the bridge.

Looking southeast from the bridge. The Czech national theater can be seen on the far right.

A westward look down the Charles Bridge.

During the week that I visited Prague, Tom Cruise's movie, Mission Impossible, was being filmed there. Lights from the shoot can be seen from the Charles Bridge.

Pictures From Praha Iconic Directory