{"id":3753,"date":"2016-09-06T09:00:53","date_gmt":"2016-09-06T13:00:53","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/snappingtheglobe.com\/?p=3753"},"modified":"2016-09-07T14:36:05","modified_gmt":"2016-09-07T18:36:05","slug":"the-stone-bridge","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/snappingtheglobe.com\/?p=3753","title":{"rendered":"The Stone Bridge"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u00a9 2016 Snapping the Globe, L.L.C. All rights reserved.<\/em><\/p>\n

Many cities, throughout the world, have have major architectural structures that they are associated with.<\/p>\n

Rome? \u00a0The Coliseum.<\/p>\n

Paris? \u00a0The Eiffel Tower.<\/p>\n

Rio De Janeiro? \u00a0The Christ Statue.<\/p>\n

Prague? \u00a0The Charles Bridge.<\/p>\n

The iconic bridge that crosses the Vltava River, linking the Lesser Quarter and the Old Town, is known worldwide and considered to be one of the most astonishing civil gothic-style structures ever built. \u00a0It is so well known that while on your whirlwind tour of Europe and buying the Coliseum charm for your Pandora bracelet, you can pick up a Charles Bridge charm as well.<\/p>\n

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At some point during a trip to Prague, most tourists will seek out the bridge as a means to travel across the river, but most will seek it out for it’s beautiful views of the river and the picturesque buildings that line its banks and for the beauty of the ancient bridge itself. \u00a0It is an absolute must-see on anyone’s visit to this alluring\u00a0city.<\/p>\n

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Built to replace Judith’s bridge which was destroyed by the Great Flood of 1342, construction began in 1357 under the Czech king and\u00a0Holy Roman Emperor Charles VI. \u00a0Charles IV laid the first stone of the bridge and construction continued for many years under the supervision of\u00a0Petr Parl\u00e9\u0159, who was also working on St. Vitus Cathedral. \u00a0The bridge, however, was not to be completed during Charles’ lifetime, but was at a near enough completion point to accommodate\u00a0the king’s funeral procession in its\u00a0crossing of the Vltava River. \u00a0Such a solid construction, it has survived many floods and other calamities…legend has it that eggs were mixed into the mortar used in its construction. \u00a0Maybe there is some truth to this matter, as it still stands strong and proud to this day.<\/p>\n

\"Charles<\/a>Originally called the Stone Bridge or the Prague Bridge, the Gothic structure only became known as the Charles Bridge (or Karl\u016fv Most) in 1870. \u00a0It is protected by two bridge towers…on the Lesser Quarter side, Malostransk\u00e1 v\u011b\u017e and on the Old Town side,\u00a0Starom\u011bstsk\u00e1 v\u011b\u017e. \u00a0Both towers can be climbed for an extraordinary view of the city and the bridge from above.<\/p>\n

\"image\"<\/a>As you walk along the bridge, it is hard to believe that it was once open to car and tram traffic. \u00a0Hoards of tourists stroll across its expanse every day, stopping to examine the statues of saints and patron saints that line the balustrade with the most popular being St. John of Nepomuk. \u00a0The Czech martyr saint was executed during the reign of Wenceslas IV by being thrown into the river from the bridge. \u00a0It is easy to find this statue from the plaque that has been polished to a shine by the countless people that line up to touch it for good luck every day. \u00a0Most of the statues today are copies with the originals being found in the Lapidarium, part of the National Museum.<\/p>\n

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\u00a0The bridge is also a popular area for Czech musicians and artists and souvenir vendors to display their wares. \u00a0 It is a great place to be entertained and\u00a0to purchase unique finds. \u00a0As I walked along the bridge most recently, I watched both a flutist and an accordionist perform and browsed numerous stands selling jewelry, photographs and artwork. \u00a0It is a place that I come specifically when searching for paintings, as their are many types\u00a0and styles\u00a0available.<\/p>\n

While everyone should make their way to the\u00a0Charles Bridge when staying in Prague, do not expect your stroll to be a stress-free one. \u00a0Thousands of tourists stroll and linger on the bridge hourly. \u00a0You will find yourself dodging selfie-sticks and tour groups following their flag-wielding tour leader as they make their way from Old Town to the Lesser Town.\u00a0\u00a0A great time of the day to enjoy this bridge is at sunset so as to enjoy the Prague Castle against the evening sky. \u00a0But…if you wish to have it\u00a0almost<\/em> all to yourself…go at night or the very early morning.<\/p>\n

For more pictures, check out Facebook, Snapping the Globe and Instagram, @snappingtheglobe.<\/p>\n

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The Charles Bridge (Karl\u016fv Most)<\/strong><\/p>\n