Description from Prague TV
The Charles Bridge (Karlův most) connects Old Town (Staré Město) with Malá Strana and is one of Prague's most beautiful sights.

Construction on the bridge, which rests above the Vltava river, began in the 14th century, during the reign of King Karel IV and was finished in the 15th century.

Over the years, the bridge has experienced floods and other damage, and has been restored numerous times, yet the original, Gothic style of the bridge has not changed.

On the Malá Strana side of the bridge is the Malá Strana Bridge Tower (Malostranská mostecká věž), which gives visitors one of the best views in Prague.

Beside the Malá Strana Bridge Tower is the Judith Bridge Tower (Juditina věž). Built in 1158, this is the last remnant of an earlier bridge, and stands a little shorter than its counterpart.

Charles Bridge is lined with statues, many of them copies of earlier pieces, due to wear and tear.

The 30 statues are in Baroque style and immortalize historical saints.

One of the most prominent statues is that of St. Lutgardis, in the middle of the bridge. The statue, depicting a 12th- and 13th-century Flemish mystic, was erected in 1710 and is possibly the most atheistically pleasing piece on the bridge.

Another important statue, that of St. John of Nepomuk (Jan Nepomucký), stands at the bridge's Old Town end, wearing a halo of five stars.

Following a dispute with King Václav IV over the election of an abbot, John of Nepomuk was arrested in 1393, tortured to death and thrown off the Charles Bridge.

A nearby bronze plaque marks the point where he was thrown from the bridge. Rubbing the plaque is said to bring you good luck.

Ashley N. Knierim