Charles Bridge: history, photo and description

2024 Author: Harold Hamphrey | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:06

One of the main attractions of the Czech capital appeared in the Middle Ages. Charles Bridge in Prague, whose history dates back to the middle of the 14th century, is a triumph of engineering, and even now it stands as an unshakable stronghold, despite the destructive power of frequent floods.

Thousands of tourists walk through the hallmark of the city, but the most appropriate time to enjoy its amazing beauty is a calm early morning. Many ancient legends are connected with the architectural miracle, which has the power of magical attraction, and even now it surprises researchers.

A bit of history

Every tourist knows in which city the Charles Bridge is located. It is located in Prague, the most romantic capital of Europe, with many architectural monuments.

Temperamental river Vltava constantlydestroyed the wooden bridges laid across it. And even the stone crossing could not resist the steep temper of the water artery connecting the Old Town and Prague Castle. After the Yuditin bridge, which had existed for about two centuries, was buried under water, the ruler decided to replace it. Prague could not do without a grandiose building connecting two parts of one city: the lack of communication had a negative impact on its financial well-being.

First, we had to remove the debris left after the destruction of the stone crossing. It was decided to build a new bridge 40 meters from the previous one, since the remaining debris did not allow construction work. So that the water pressure on the structure was not the same, it was erected slightly curved against the current.

Magic of Numbers

It is believed that King Charles IV turned not only to engineers, but also to his astrologers, so that they set a date for the start of construction. Scientists who attached great importance to the magic of numbers, after lengthy calculations, recommended the exact time, and the laying of the first stone by the king himself took place at 5 hours 31 minutes on July 9, 1357. Perhaps this trick ensured the excellent durability of the architectural monument.

Strong egg solution

As another legend says, only an unusual mixture, consisting of fresh chicken eggs mixed with red sandstone and small pebbles, helped to withstand the violent onslaught of the Vltava. Thousands of food carts flocked to Prague. Some peasants toto please their ruler, they even boiled eggs, and then the builders, who filled all the cavities of the structure with mortar, were happy to eat them.

No one knows how true this legend is. However, it is known for sure that P. Parlerge, a young talented architect who developed the Charles Bridge project and led the process of its construction, put all his skills into it. The famous architect has never been involved in the construction of crossings, and the start of work was preceded by many sketches. The construction of one of the main attractions of Prague required a lot of money, and the money was collected by the whole kingdom. The construction was completed at the beginning of the 15th century.

Description of an architectural masterpiece

The new building, which allows you to cross a stormy river from one part of the city to another, turned out to be higher and wider than the previous one. The length of the massive structure, the canvas of which is supported by 16 supporting arches, is 516 meters, and the width is 9.5 meters. The first tower is immediately erected, and from it support supports are installed at the bottom of the river and go into the ground for only a few meters. Two platforms appear near the arch: on one, the convicts were executed, and their bodies were thrown into the river, and on the other, a wooden cross was installed, where people could pray before they died.

At the entrance to the Charles Bridge, a small gate was built, in front of which a huge ditch was dug and a wooden deck was thrown over. Illuminated by oil lamps, they were closed at night, and in the 17th centurya guardhouse appeared nearby, standing for almost two hundred years.

Multiple reconstructions

Initially, the architectural masterpiece was called "Prague", and only in 1870 it was renamed in honor of the founding king. Charles Bridge, passing through the tests of natural elements, has repeatedly changed its appearance. Until the start of the war with the Swedes in 1648, he stood unchanged. After the battles, part of the attraction collapsed, having lost many of its decorations, and it had to be rebuilt. In 1890, the city experienced a terrible flood, after which a large-scale reconstruction of the medieval crossing was needed. Once upon a time, the authorities even launched a tram over the bridge, but soon changed their minds and made it completely pedestrian. In the middle of the last century, a major overhaul of the visiting card of the capital of the Czech Republic began, and some supports were reinforced with granite.

For more than five centuries, the Charles Bridge, whose photos still delight travelers, has remained the only structure connecting the two banks of the full-flowing Vltava. Only in the 30s of the XIX century, the construction of other crossings began.

Two towers decorating an architectural monument

On both sides of this work of art, which played an important role in the history of the development of Prague, towering buildings that appeared in different eras. From the side of the Old Town (Old Place) - the Old Town Gothic tower, recognized as one of the most beautiful in Europe. It was built at the same time as the Charles Bridge, according to the design of Parlerge, who conceived it as a symbolic triumphalarch. Under the building 47 meters high, Czech rulers passed by, going to the coronation, which took place on the square of the same name. The gates of an important part of the city fortifications were closed with an iron lattice decorated with sculptural images, which rose and fell. And in the basement was a prison. Now there is an observation deck and a gallery.

From the Lesser Town (Prague Castle) the entrance to the architectural landmark is blocked by two Lesser Town towers, between which a beautiful gate in the Gothic style was erected in the 15th century. Two buildings of different heights are open to the public. In addition, they house an exhibition of alchemists, open from mid-spring to late autumn.

Sculpture gallery

Since 1683, the Gothic Charles Bridge in Prague, whose photo excites the imagination of impressionable tourists, has been overgrown with stone statues and bas-reliefs. In total, there are 30 statues of saints on it, and a story is associated with each image. Only one figure is cast in bronze, while all the rest are made of stone, including marble. The sculpture gallery, created by brilliant Bohemian authors, is of great interest to foreign guests.

The oldest monument is the statue of John of Nepomuk, thrown off the bridge into the stormy Vltava and martyred. It is said that as soon as the head of the saint, who did not reveal the secret of the king's wife's confession, hid under dark water, five bright stars lit up above the river.

The statue of Brunswick is not one of the statues of one of the symbols of Prague, but is located behind its railings, on a high pedestal. The Czech prince, who fought furiously against the monsters, received a magic sword for his bravery. As ancient legends say, ancient weapons rest in the supports of the crossing. The late Gothic sculpture of an unknown author was destroyed by the Swedes, and only after 236 years it was cast again. A courageous knight, who is the main character of local legends, holds a shield with the coat of arms of the Old City, which has made the image of a brave man its symbol.

Wish Granting Sculptures

Many tourists walk along the Charles Bridge, where they make secret wishes by touching one of the statues. However, few people know that the original sculptures have been in the museum for a long time, and travelers see only their copies. True, as vacationers admit, dreams really come true, and the "performers" of all fantasies are rubbed with their hands to a golden sheen.

What surprises does Prague's business card bring?

It is curious that the Charles Bridge in Prague surprises scientists even now. Recently, scuba divers exploring the crossing underwater discovered a new layer of moss. Gathered from the forest, it was laid between millstones and gravel. It is assumed that the terrestrial plant was used as a stuffing mass that fills all the cracks. However, there is also an original version, according to which moss was invested for magical purposes.

The Charles Bridge in Prague, one of the most beautiful in Europe, is a great pleasure for all guests who love authentic works of art from the Middle Ages.