The capital of the Czech Republic is like a magic casket where extraordinary characters and legends are kept. Some stories are sad and beautiful, others are simply creepy, but in any case, getting to know them allows you to take a fresh look at the paths trodden by tourists. The unreal appearance of the ancient city, its cobbled streets, spiers and statues, bridges and mills inspire confidence that all these magical legends really happened, moreover, that they all happened just recently, and right around the corner you can meet an ominous Golem, a brooding Faust or medieval alchemists.
Mages and alchemists
Perhaps, of all the magicians associated with Prague, the first to come to mind are alchemists- everyone knows that Golden Street was named after them (historians may object and argue that goldsmiths and other artisans simply lived on the narrow street along the fortress wall; all tourists will still always associate the image of the street with medieval magicians). But, besides them, even lived in Prague Doctor Faustus himself. His house can be seen in the south of Charles Square, it is pink. Through the roof of this house, Mephistopheles carried away the scientist who was striving for immortality. There is a whole series of legends, according to which, Faust flies to his Prague house on moonless nights. In general, Johann Faust, who became the collective image of a sorcerer and warlock in German literature, real historical figure, however, little is known about it. He lived in Germany in the 16th century, became a successful doctor, fortune teller and alchemist, his services were in demand at many royal courts, including in Prague, where the scientist was given a laboratory. But whether it really was located in this house is unknown.
It is known that at the end of the 14th century the alchemist Edward Kelly lived here, and then the royal physician Jan Kopp. Most likely, this is why the house gained the reputation of being “magical”.
By the way, alchemist Kelly is also a real historical person.
He was close King Rudolf II- one of the strangest emperors of the Habsburg dynasty, who in 1583 moved from Vienna to Prague and practically withdrew from state affairs. They say that the emperor suffered from depression, which is perhaps why he preferred communicating with leopards in the royal garden and conversations with sages, magicians and scientists to human company. However, the depression did not prevent the far-sighted, sensitive emperor from collecting a magnificent collection of works of art in Prague and generally leading the city to the flourishing of culture. And his love for the wife of a Prague ghetto banker became the subject of a number of other stories.
Miracles and curses of the ghetto
THE FATE OF A PAINTER
The medieval Jewish ghetto in Prague boasts its own epic. The most popular character in all stories is philanthropist Mordecai Meisl. He was born in 1528 into a poor Jewish family, but managed to become rich through trade and banking, so that his wealth allowed him to do charity work. He became one of the most important people in the city and financial advisor to Emperor Rudolf II. They say that the emperor was in love with Mordecai's wife, the beautiful Esther. However, she died early, depriving the already gloomy emperor of hope and leaving Meisl without a family, who after that was completely immersed in patronage. A street is named after Meisl Jewish quarter Prague and the synagogue. However, fewer facts about him have survived than legends.
"GREAT SIN" AND THE TERRIBLE GOLEM
Most stories are known thanks to writer Leo Perutz- one of the founders of the genres of magical realism and the modern horror novel. Based on his book "Nights under the Stone Bridge" The legends of the Prague ghetto just began. The main characters of the stories are Mordeai Meisl and Rabbi Loew.
The book begins with the story of a strange plague that broke out in the ghetto in 1589 and claimed the lives of children. The wise men could not guess what the cause of the disease was, but one day at the cemetery the brave souls saw the figures of children in long white shirts dancing over a fresh grave.
Rabbi Lev guessed that illness was a punishment for some grave sin. The next night, the rabbi summoned the soul of one of the dead children and learned that the cause of the illness was the sinful dreams of the beautiful Esther, who dreamed of Rudolf II. The next day Esther died and the plague ended.
There are various rumors about the death of Meisl himself. Some believe that the banker's treasures are hidden in the Jewish quarter, which he did not have time to spend. Others object that he gave everything away and died poor.
As for Rabbi Loew Ben-Bezalel, he, of course, became more famous thanks to his amazing Golem - this legend was also made immortal by Leo Perutz. Various golems can indeed be found in different arches, nooks and parks of Prague, if you look carefully around.
Stories of walls, bridges and churches
It is wrong to believe that there are no witnesses to the legends left, and everyone has disappeared into the Prague atmosphere. Participants in some events live to this day - so what if these are architectural structures or statues?
HAND OF THE SACRED
Not far from the Old Town Square and Tyn, on Male Shtupartska street, there is a baroque facade of the Church of St. James. If you look up and to the right at the entrance, you can see a dried human hand hanging on a hook. They say that it was the Virgin Mary herself who grabbed the hand of the thief who encroached on church property. The blasphemer’s hand instantly withered, and it is now hanging on the hook.
KNIGHT OF BRUNSWICK
To the side of the Charles Bridge statues, above Kampa Island, stands a monument to Prague’s favorite image - knight of Brunswick.
Czechs also love Brunswick. Even before Tsvetaeva, his image was covered with a huge number of legends, the most famous of which is associated with the knight’s desire to depict a lion on his shield. In pursuit of this right, the knight participated in many battles, lost all his warriors, and, in the end, once saved the life of a golden-maned lion who was fighting a dragon. Since then, the knight and the lion have been inseparable. They say that the knight's golden sword was embedded in the foundation of the Charles Bridge, so for a long time the statue stood with a spear. However, according to legend, the Czech Republic could stop fearing enemies only when the golden blade shone in the hands of Brunswick again. The sword was placed in the knight’s hands shortly before the start of the Velvet Revolution.
DALIBORA TOWER
Many tourists, rushing from one “tick” on the map to another, will not stop near the gloomy Daliborka tower at the top of Prague Castle, which is reached by the stairs at the end of Golden Lane, or they will simply guess that there was once a prison here. Meanwhile, the name of the tower is associated with the name of its prisoner: the knight Dalibor. They say that the knight wasted no time in captivity and learned to play the violin to signal the conspirators who were supposed to free him. Unfortunately, the beautiful plan failed, and the rebel was executed. This story was immortalized by Bedřich Smetana in the opera Dalibor.
Prague genius deadline
Prague is rich not only in scary stories, but also in humorous tales. If the musical experience of the knight Dalibor can be considered sad, then the Prague successes of another composer are triumphant. Mozart was madly loved in Prague, Pasquale Bondini, then director of the opera, was delighted with his "The Marriage of Figaro" and D major "Prague" symphonies. It was he who ordered the composer a new opera, "Don Juan", which was supposed to premiere in the fall of 1787. Shortly before this event, Mozart arrived in the city and stayed at the Bertramka villa with friends - the Duszek couple. He wanted to calmly finish work on the opera with them.
But they say that work on the opera was in great haste; there are even rumors that the master managed to write it in one night with a glass of wine in hand, and finished it at seven in the morning on the day of the premiere. There are also rumors that such procrastination of the brilliant composer is to blame for his not entirely platonic relationship with Dusek’s wife, Josephine. However, the truth or fantasy inspired by the theme of the opera is unknown.
Funny tales about Mozart's adventures in Prague do not stop there. For example, during rehearsals, one of the singers could not exclaim naturally enough, then the composer had to sneak up on her and roughly grab her from behind, so that the girl squealed in fear. " Wonderful!“- Mozart then exclaimed. - " Just shout like that.”
Charles Bridge is one of the main tourist pearls of the Czech Republic, the most memorable landmark of Prague. In this city, spread along the banks of the Vltava, there are more than 18 bridges, but the Charles Bridge outshines them in beauty, romance, and the number of mystical legends and stories associated with its construction and history.
Winding like a silver snake, the Vltava flows through the whole of Prague - a true blessing and curse of the Czech Republic. This river is known for its treacherous floods. In ancient times, residents of Prague cities used numerous fords and crossings to cross the Vltava.The predecessors of the Charles Bridge were the first wooden bridge, built in the 10th century, washed away by a flood, and the first Czech stone bridge, built in 1160. After standing for 170 years, this Romanesque bridge, named after Queen Judith, was also destroyed by floodwayward Vltava. And when the architect Peter Parler began to build the bridge for the third time, the devil appeared to him and promised that the structure would last for centuries. However, for the promise, he demanded payment - the living soul of the person who would be the first to walk through the new building. The master agreed. Soon the work was completed, and on the day of the celebration a child, his grandson, ran out onto the bridge. Then he grabbed a rooster walking nearby and rushed across the boy. By letting the rooster first onto the bridge, the architect saved the life of his grandson, and after the sacrifice he ensured the success of the next and final construction of his stone brainchild.
Charles Bridge is rightfully considered one of the most beautiful in the world. It was built according to the design of the architect Petr Parler. First stone in constructionPrague (or Stone)The bridge was founded in 1357 by order of the Czech king Charles IV,whose name he bears to this day.
History has preserved the exact date - July 9, 1357, when King Charles IV laid the first stone at the foundation of the bridge, initially called the "Prague" or Stone Bridge, but renamed in honor of Charles in 1870. Even the hours and minutes of laying the stone are known - 5 hours 31 minutes, chosen not by chance, since Karl was fond of science and believed in mystical combinations of numbers.
The year, date and time of the start of construction of the bridge are formed into a “lucky” mirror-pyramid sequence 1 3 5 7 9 7 5 3 1 with the number 9 in the middle.
An astronomical fact adds mysticism to the history of the creation of the bridge - it was at this time that the Sun, Saturn and Earth “stood” on the same line.
Be that as it may, the Charles Bridge, which has experienced many upheavals over six and a half centuries, still stands and delights our contemporaries with its grandeur and beauty.
The Charles Bridge took more than 50 years to build. According to one of the legends telling about its unprecedented strength, At first, the work did not go well, because a solution of the required quality was not obtained, and then a cry was thrown out: to bring chicken eggs from all over the country to add protein to the binding mass. According to another legend -The Czechs also added milk and wine. Local peasants who supplied these " building materials» construction site, sometimes due to misunderstanding, eggs were delivered already boiled, and instead of milk - cottage cheese or cottage cheese. And then these foodstuffs went in addition to the rations of the bridge builders. However, you can believe the legend, or you can not, but this simple recipe became the key to the longevity of the bridge - its supports have easily withstood the powerful flows of the unruly Vltava for many centuries.
The construction of the bridge ended at the beginning of the 15th century. It was built of sandstone, stood on 16 supports, was 520 m long and 9.5 m wide. The famous royal road passed along this route, where human destinies were decided, sentences were passed, magnificent fairs and horse races were held.
The project was developed and implemented by the architect Petr Parler, whom Charles IV invited from the Swabian city of Gmünd to participate in the construction of the Cathedral of St. Vita. Although Peter Parler was only 22 years old at the time, his work from the first days met the emperor's expectations. He left behind in the capital not only the core of the Cathedral of St. Vita, but also the Charles Bridge and the Old Town Bridge Tower.
Charles Bridge was not always what it is now. At the time of its construction, the current Prague did not yet exist. On the territory of the Czech capital there were several independent cities, two of which were called the Old Town and the Lesser Town. There were real trade relations between them, and the Charles Bridge played the role of a connecting thread and a customs checkpoint. In this regard, it was also the cause of frequent minor military conflicts - whoever owns the bridge collects tribute from the merchants.
The Charles Bridge (length 516 m, width 10 m), standing on 16 mighty supporting bulls, connects the Old Town and Lesser Town, crossing the Vltava over the small island of Kampa (it is separated from the shore by a narrow channel, Certovka. In 1974, the bridge was declared a pedestrian bridge .
In the direction of Mala Strana, the bridge deviates slightly from a straight line and decreases, thereby opening up new picturesque views of the city panorama.
On the side of Stare Mesto and Mala Strana, there are mighty towers on the bridge - all in the Gothic style, although they were made in different eras. The towers located on both sides of the bridge are now a worthy decoration of this historical monument. In turn, the tower located on the right bank of the Vltava - the Old Town Tower - is recognized as the most beautiful Gothic tower - in itself, it pleases the eye and excites the imagination, but it also has statues of representatives of the House of Luxembourg and the main Catholic saints carved from stone.
During the Thirty Years' War, the Swedes, who tried to break out of Mala Strana, were unable to take this fortification.
Over the centuries, the bridge tower has given rise to numerous rumors and legends. One of the legends says that sometimes an owl appears on the tower and with a sad cry foreshadows misfortune: either a flood or a fire. Many times residents of nearby houses tried to shoot the owl in order to protect themselves from misfortune, but it invariably appears again and again, sending shivers down the backs of the townspeople with its sad moans.
By the way, Czechs are very superstitious people. They believe in ghosts, and are also sure that the Czech Republic is full of them at every turn.
It turns out that you can also meet a ghost on the Charles Bridge. In gloomy weather, you can allegedly see a demon on the parapet pestering passers-by.
A waterman lives under the bridge, and on the Old Town tower the spirits of once executed criminals of a noble family whisper. Their heads hung right on the bridge.
If you walk under the arches of the tower onto the bridge, you can become like the kings of the Czech Republic, who thus went to Prague Castle. Climb the 138 steps to the 47-meter tower to admire the opening panorama of Charles Bridge and Prague Castle.
On the same bank, a few meters from the tower, there is a monument to Charles IV himself, the foot of which is decorated with four figures symbolizing the main faculties of the University, founded by him in 1348.
At first the bridge was decorated with a simple cross.In the period 1683-1714. The Jesuits proposed to decorate the bridge with thirty statues of Catholic saints: honor to the church, and glory to the emperor.And from the 17th century. they began to decorate it with sculptures.Exalted gestures or, conversely, resignation to fate tell about the lives of saints.The number of sculptures and sculptural groups gradually reached 30, and the bridge turned into an open-air art gallery,brought him worldwide fame.Now almost all sculptures have been replaced with copies. For better preservation, the originals are placed in a branch of the National Museum (Lapidarium).
The most famous and oldest - the first to appear, in 1683, is the sculpture of St. Yana from Nepomuk. There is a legend that John of Nepomuk was the confessor of the wife of Wenceslas IV. And, for refusing to reveal the secret of confession, at his command he was thrown off this bridge.On the parapet of the bridge there is a marble tablet with a metal cross and five stars. This is the place from where St. John of Nepomuk was thrown into the water.
Now the bronze plate at the base of the statue, depicting the very scene of the priest being thrown from the bridge, has been polished to a shine by millions of palms of those who believe that touching this place will bring good luck. But it is best to touch two bronze bas-reliefs at the same time (the second depicts the owner and the dog and symbolizes fidelity) so that the wish definitely comes true.
If you go from the Old Place, then on the right there are the following sculptures and sculptural groups: Madonna with St. Bernard; Madonna with St. Dominic and St. Thomas Aquinas (XVIII century); The crucifix, installed in 1630 to replace the previous one, which was destroyed during the Hussite Wars; several images of Saints. They are followed by the statue of St. John of Nepomuk. On its opposite parapet, returning over the bridge from Mala Strana, you can see the statue of St. Prince Wenceslas; a sculptural group called “Turk on the Bridge” (statues of St. John of Matsky and St. Felix, who rescue Christian captives from Hagaryan captivity); a statue of St. Adalbert, as well as a superb composition representing the mystical vision of St. Ludgarda (1710). Behind the stairs leading to Kampa Island there is a statue of St. Nicholas of Tolentin; sculptural group with St. Vincent Ferrer and St. Procopius. Next is a copy of a statue of a knight from the 16th century; a statue of St. Francis Xavier with a sculptural self-portrait of Brokoff (to the left of the figure of the Saint - in the form of an extra carrying his attributes), an outstanding sculptor of the Baroque era.
On a high pedestal already behind the railing of the bridge there is a statue of the knight Bruncvik (Roland) - the legendary hero of Czech legends (like the Greek Odysseus or the Russian Ivan Tsarevich). In this case, it symbolizes the customs post of Charles Bridge, but is still located on the left bank, i.e. on the territory of the Small Town. Stone Bruntsvik has his famous magic sword in his hands, and at the knight’s feet is a lion - his faithful friend and servant, who, after the death of his master, died on his grave. P According to legend, the hero's sword was walled up somewhere at the base of the Charles Bridge, and at one o'clock mortal danger of his people, he must break out of captivity and to the call of the resurrected Bruntsvik - “Heads off your shoulders!” - must hit the enemy. But during all sorts of wars, he has never appeared - apparently, knowing that his people can still cope without much help.
During the most severe flood in the entire 650-year history of the bridge in 2002, the water of the Vltava rose 8 meters, completely hiding the Charles Bridge in Prague. Only the faithful knight Brunswick - the guardian of the bridge - did not leave his post.
A unique monument of history and architecture, and today it lives turbulently modern life. The half-kilometer-long pedestrian bridge is never empty - it is a popular place for walks and meetings. It is favored by artists, musicians, and souvenir sellers., and pleasure boats and motor ships with orchestras and restaurants on the upper decks slowly walk along the Vltava.
He leaves no one indifferent and makes you fall in love with him at first sight.
According to modern legend, when the Dalai Lama walked across the Charles Bridge in 1990, he said that this bridge is at the center of the universe, and there is no negative energy around it - thereby it is able to attract every person to itself. Therefore, it is not surprising that it still exists great amount who want to walk through a four-dimensional postcard from one century to another - during the tourist season, the Charles Bridge is so crowded with guests of Prague that local residents simply use other bridges to cross the river.
Today Charles Bridge is a tourist Mecca. It is visited by countless crowds of tourists, enjoying the view of ancient Prague, music, and souvenirs. And only in the morning noisy guests give him a rest. The bridge suddenly becomes empty. And then you can watch the sunrise there.
Charles Bridge can be an inexhaustible source of inspiration. The view on both sides of the bridge can inspire you to create the most fantastic paintings, poems and melodies, and when you think that every stone here knows more than any history textbook, then you yourself become absolutely inconspicuous (but still fascinated! ) a grain of sand in the endless and sparkling stream of life.
The webcam shows the pearl of Prague - Charles Bridge and the famous Prague Castle - one of the largest and most beautiful castles in Europe. The image is updated every 30 seconds.
The Czech Mint presented a coin dedicated to the legendary knight Brunswick.
On the left bank of the Vltava, the Charles Bridge abuts the Lesser Town Towers. There is also a statue of the knight of Brunswick - the hero of legends and defender of the Czech Republic.
According to legend, Brunswick and his retinue set out to win the right to depict a lion on their coat of arms. Almost the entire squad died. Only Brunswick remained.
And then one day he saw a lion fighting a nine-headed dragon. The knight saved the lion's life, and he became Brunswick's devoted friend. It was he who helped the knight get a magic sword.
Returning home, Brunswick buried his sword at the Charles Bridge. It is believed that when the Czech Republic is in danger, Brunswick will return, his horse will knock on the place where the sword is buried and awaken King Wenceslas. And Vaclav will drive out all the enemies of the Czech Republic.
This coin belongs to a series of coins dedicated to Czech legends.
Marina Tsvetaeva dedicated the poem “Knight on the Bridge” to Brunswick.
According to the press service of the Czech Mint, the denomination of the coin is 10 ducats, the precious metal is 999-carat gold, the minting quality is “proof”, weight is 31.10 g, diameter is 37 mm, circulation is 200 pieces.
On the obverse, three shields are minted with heraldic symbols depicted on them - a lion and two eagles. Below them is engraved the year of minting “2012” and the mint mark. There are 21 stars along the edge of the coin.
The reverse depicts a knight with a raised sword. He leans on the shield. There is a roaring lion nearby. The edge of the coin is engraved with “DESETIDUKAT”, “CESKE REPUBLIKY”. In the inner circle there is another inscription: “OTEC DOBYL ZNAKU ORLA JALVA CHCI DOBYTY.”
Charles Bridge (Karlův most) is located in the Czech Republic, in the heart of the city of Prague. One of the most beautiful bridges in Europe spans By banks of the Vltava River, connects two parts of Prague - Malá Strana and the Old Town (Staré město).
The Charles Bridge is always beautiful, from any angle, day and night with its spans illuminated, on a winter morning when there is not a single person on the bridge, only sculptures covered with snow. It is rarely empty, except at night, or early in the morning, before 7 am. And already from 9 am, every day there is no more crowding on the bridge. An old prediction came true: “Soon it will be more difficult to see a Czech on this bridge than a deer with golden antlers.”
NAVIGATION
Story
The master who built the Charles Bridge was named Petr Parléř. He was only 23 years old when he arrived in Prague. The master's father, Indrikh Parler, headed the construction of the cathedral in Cologne at that time. Charles IV (Karel IV) was looking for an architect for the Cathedral of St. Vitus (Katedrála svatého Víta) in Prague and turned to Henry for help, who sent his son in his place. For the capital of the Czech Republic it was a message from above.
Architect Peter Parler devoted his entire life to Prague, leaving behind architectural gems that we still admire today, including the Charles Bridge.
Construction of the bridge was a real challenge for the young architect. Remembering the flood of 1342, which completely destroyed the Judith Bridge in the same place ( Juditin most), nHe decided to raise the new bridge 5 meters above the level of the old Romanesque one and place it on 16 mighty semicircular arches, up to 22 meters wide. The first stage, and the most expensive, was the construction of supports. They were constructed by driving oak piles into the ground to a depth of 2.5 meters below the level of the river bottom. Huge, round river stones were laid on them and a wooden structure was erected, which was lined with hewn blocks of sandstone.
Construction of the bridge lasted 45 years and ended in 1402, but contemporaries write that already in 1380 the bridge was opened for traffic, and the most beautiful medieval bridge tower was completed and decorated with sculptures. On the bridge itself, except for the bronze cross, there were no decorations then. Peter Pralerz, who was present at all stages of the construction of the bridge, did not live to see its grand opening for only three years. He died in 1399 at the age of 66 and was buried in his main brainchild - St. Vita, next to his customer, King and Emperor Charles IV.
The king did not name the bridge by his own name. During Karl's life and after his death, the bridge was called the Stone Bridge (Kamenný most) for a long time.
At that time there was only one stone bridge in Prague; the second bridge appeared only in the mid-19th century. In 1848, Czech educator Karl Borowski proposed to the city council to rename the bridge. And since then the bridge has been called Charles.
The strength of the bridge was immediately tested in the 15th century. In 1432, the Vltava brought the so-called “hundred-year water” and damaged several supporting columns. Since the 18th century, the volume of water during floods has been accurately indicated: in 1784, 4.5 thousand cubic meters of water per second flowed under the Charles Bridge. In 1745 and 1890 there was even more water, with heavy objects carried by the water seriously damaging three bridge columns.
At the end of the 19th century, an artificial rift was built in front of the bridge as a means of protection. And next to it is a lock system necessary for the passage of ships. The 2002 flood is considered the worst in 600 years. The same flood in 1342 demolished the first stone bridge in Prague. Charles Bridge survived the 2002 flood without damage and was opened to tourists as soon as it came down big water. Markings on houses and the bridge itself remind you of the flood.
Legends
There are so many secrets, mysticism, ghosts, so many stories hidden in it that you can tell them endlessly.
About boiled eggs
They say that the bridge is supported by eggs. During construction, several thousand eggs were broken into the solution.. The king himself ordered one cartload of eggs to be brought from all villages in the Prague area every day. I just forgot to explain why he needs these eggs. And in one village not far from Prague, it was called Velvary, the residents decided: the road is long, if the cart gets there, all the eggs will be killed. Let's cook them. And so they brought a whole cart to Prague boiled eggs. They began to break them, but the eggs did not flow out. The builders had a lot of fun that day, and they ate too much at the same time. There's no point in bringing them back. And the saying has appeared since then. When someone says something stupid, he will hear in response: Have you eaten too much boiled eggs? And the residents of the village of Velvara were laughed at for a long time.
Numerology – founding date
Charles IV, like everyone else at that time, believed in predictions, the location of the planets, and the secrets of numerology. They looked for symbolism in everything and found it. Therefore this an important event like the construction of a stone bridge in the capital holy empire the king could not leave it to chance. His mathematicians and astronomers calculated exactly down to the minute the moment when construction began. Therefore, on July 9, 1357, Charles woke up unusually early, and by 5 am he arrived at the place where construction was to begin.At 5 hours 31 minutes he himself personally laid the first stone at the base of the bridge.
The date and time of laying the first stone of the Charles Bridge were not chosen by chance. If you line up these numbers in a pyramid, you get a numerological pyramid lined with Arabic numerals.
At the top of the pyramid is the number 9, and this is not an accident. Number 9 – symbol of perfection, creation, conception. And the sum of all numbers is 41, 4+1=5 – a number that symbolizes the planet Jupiter, which in mythology rules the gods. Charles IV accepted all the advice of his sages so that the bridge would stand for centuries and withstand all adversity.
Description
The length of the Charles Bridge is 516 meters, it stands on 16 supports - bulls, as they are called. Not only did pedestrians walk across the Charles Bridge, but carts also drove there. Just like on the old Judith Bridge, taxes were collected for travel. For a horse - 2 coins, for a cart - 1 coin.
The largest fee was paid for a deceased Jew who was being taken to a cemetery - travel funeral procession cost 72 coins. In the 19th century, horse-drawn trams and cars traveled across the bridge. And since the beginning of the 20th century, electric trams and buses have been available. This part of the city was very busy, but there were fewer tourists. Even before the outbreak of World War II, public transport disappeared from the bridge. And since 1965 - cars. The bridge has finally become pedestrian. Even President Miloš Zeman walks along it.
Prague Venice and the Certovka River
On the Lesser Town side there is a small, romantic island of Kampa, which is reached by stairs directly from the Charles Bridge. The island is separated from Mala Strana by a branch of the Vltava - the narrow river Chertovka (koště). Kampa is a square where bazaars and holiday markets are held. Among them is the famous bazaar with products of Czech potters. Previously, there were only gardens on the island, but in XVI century, the construction of residential buildings began. An extraordinary, picturesque area has grown along Chertovka, which is called the Venice of Prague. It really resembles the streets of the famous city on the water.
In the old days, the waters of Chertovka were used for mills, of which there were several. The rotating wooden wheel of the former Velkopřevorský mlýn looks picturesque from the bridge.
The river received such an unusual name for a reason. Previously, it was just a canal without a name, but in the 19th century, not far from the mill, there lived a woman named Louise, who owned the guest house “At the White Horse” (Dům V bílém koni). She rented out rooms in her house and was such a picky and nasty housewife that her guests called her a real devil. One day an artist moved into the house. Strongly offended by the evil mistress, he drew six devils on the façade of the house under the image of a white horse. And he signed: “At the Seven Devils” (Dům Seven Devils). So that it is clear to everyone who he considers the devil. Since then, residents have not called this house by anything else. And the canal flowing nearby received its name.
On the Chertovka bridges, the iron plexus of gratings is hung with locks. They are hung by those who want to keep their love for a long time. The lock must be locked and the key thrown into the water, just like in real Venice.
Towers
The Old Town Tower (Staroměstského věž) is rightfully considered the most beautiful bridge tower in the world. The architect Peter Parler decorated his tower with sculptures of saints and kings, but from the side of the bridge the decorations are not visible, only a large commemorative plaque with gold letters. It tells about the events of 1648.
At the end of the 30 Years' War, the Swedes found themselves in Prague. They occupied Lesser Town and (Prague Castle). For three whole months the Swedes tried to fight their way into the Old and New Towns from all sides. One of the places of attack was the only bridge in the city - Karlov. Ordinary residents - artisans, students, professors - stood up to defend Prague with a small garrison of soldiers. With weapons in their hands and heavy casualties, they did not allow the Swedes into the Old Town. The future Swedish king Carl Gustav was forced to retreat.
On October 29, 1648, right on the bridge, on the site of the former Swedish barricade, a small wooden house was built, where representatives of both sides met to sign a peace treaty. After the end of the war, a monument to a Prague student with a musket in his hands appeared in gratitude for his courage. It still stands proudly near Charles Bridge. And the sculptures of the Malostranská mostecká věž, broken by shells, never returned to their place.
The Old Town Bridge Tower not only served as a gateway to Charles Bridge, but was also a temporary debt prison for rich young people for whom their parents refused to pay their debts. It was also the place where, in 1621, 12 heads of Czech gentlemen executed in Old Town Square (Staroměstské náměstí) were put on public display in iron baskets. For eternity, as the king ordered, for the edification of the disobedient Czechs. Only 10 years later, under another king, the heads were removed from the tower and buried in one of the churches of the Old Town.
Sculptures
The bridge is decorated with sculptures of saints. All sculptural groups have historical and religious meaning. Regular guidebooks list the number as 30 sculptures, but there are 31 statues on the bridge.
Knight of Brunswick
For some reason they forget about the lonely stone knight Brunswick. It's easy to find, you just need to look down, not up. On the small side, right by the water, stands a young, handsome knight, clutching a golden sword to his chest, a shield at his feet, and a lion behind him. Yes, not an ordinary lion, but a Czech one. There are so many secrets in this lonely figure. And his sword is not simple - the knight is waiting for the moment when the time will come hand over the sword to Saint Vaclav, who rode here on horseback. And then Saint Wenceslas, with a sword in his hands, will go to defend the Czech land in the very Hard time her stories. And on the shield is the coat of arms of Prague, which he protects.
The legend about the knight Brunswick says that he lived in the 12th century, was a prince and, as princes are supposed to do, went to distant lands to conquer new coats of arms and lands. In the desert he will meet a lion who was fighting a dragon. The lion was bleeding and Brunswick undertook to help him, killed the dragon, and the lion, in gratitude, went with the knight on a further journey. And together they returned to the Czech Republic.
The coat of arms of the Czech state includes a lion standing on hind legs, waving his front ones, on his head is a golden crown, and on his tail are two ends.The more ends on the lion's tail, the richer the state - this is what the symbolism says. But the Czechs are modest, so this lion only has two ends.Until this point, the coat of arms had been an eagle, but the lion appeared for a very important reason. It was in the 12th century that Czech rulers were given the right to bear the status of kings. Before that there were only princes.
The Knight of Brunswick is the delineator of the boundaries of the two cities, and therefore stands not on the bridge, like the other sculptures, but below, by the water.
With his sword he shows where the border of the oldest parts of Prague has always been. This is now an invisible border, but previously there were large oak gates in this place. And they closed at 10 pm until the morning.
Prague Turk
The Charles Bridge has its own defender - the Prague Turk (Pražský Turek) - the largest sculptural group on the Lesser Town side. Saint Ivan and Saint John show the chains of Turkish Christian prisoners. And the prisoners themselves sit behind bars below and wait to be ransomed for Christian money. The captives are guarded by a colorful figure of a Turk with a dagger on his belt and a whip in his hand. He is the Prague Turk.
They say that when it gets dark and tourists finally leave the bridge alone, he gets off the pedestal and walks along the bridge, checking if all the sculptures are in their place. So you should be careful on the Charles Bridge at night. The Prague Turk is not too fond of tourists and his whip is like a real one.
Statue of Saint Lutgard
The most valuable sculpture on the bridge is considered to be the statue of St. Lutgard - Svatava Česká., which was created by Matthias Bernard Brown in 1710, when the later famous sculptor was only 26 years old. The sculptural group is very romantic. Here Jesus is shown bending down to a nun so that she can kiss his wounds.Lutgarda, a blind nun of the Bendectinian Order, really lived and this story took place in the 13th century.
Lutgarde was born in Belgium and was from a middle-class family. Her father wanted to marry her off, but the girl did not want a wedding and instead went to the monastery of St. Catherine (Klášter svaté Kateřiny). Her extraordinary healing abilities manifested themselves in the monastery. Subsequently, Lutgarde became the abbess of the monastery, but in 1235 she suddenly became blind and for 11 whole years before her death she prayed to God blind. They say that one day God took pity on a blind woman and leaned down to her from the cross so that she could feel that he heard her prayers and could kiss his wounds.
Bronze cross
The bronze cross (Bronzové cross) is located on the frontal place - the widest part of the bridge. Now this is a very lively place, you can always hear live music here. On one side, the frontal place is decorated with a pieta - a mother holding her deceased son on her lap, and on the other, a bronze cross with a crucifix surrounded by gold letters - the very first decoration of the bridge, appeared in the 14th century under Charles IV. The bronze figure of Christ was made in 1657, and the inscriptions were made even later, at the end of the 18th century.
The inscription INRI is an abbreviation of the name of Jesus in Latin - “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews.” And below - glorification on Aramaic"holy, holy, holy."
The story behind this inscription occurred at the end of the 17th century. One of the Jews (and there were many of them living in the city at that time) while crossing the bridge violated Jesus. He was arrested and sentenced to a heavy fine for inappropriate behavior. The fine money was used to cast gold letters glorifying Christ in Hebrew, specifically for edification. But it didn't help much. And in our time, letters sometimes disappear and we have to replace them with new ones.
Jan of Nepomuk
The most visited is the sculpture of Jan Nepomucký. At the end of the 17th century, a bronze sculpture of the saint appeared as its first decoration. Even then, streams of pilgrims were coming to her, although he was not yet a saint.
Jan from the Czech city of Nepomuk lived in the 14th century, was a priest and worked at Prague Castle in the services of the archbishop himself. At the same time, he served as the personal confessor of Queen Zsofia, the second wife of King Wenceslas 4. Legend says that the king was jealous of his wife and believed that he went to confession too often, which meant he had something to hide. He ordered John of Nepomuk to be arrested and tortured so that he would reveal all the queen’s secrets. He was tortured and tormented for three days. It is said that the king himself had a hand in the torture. But the priest never revealed the secrets and died during the torture.
On March 20, 1393, at night, the dead body of Nepomuk, on the orders of the king, was taken to the Charles Bridge by soldiers and thrown into the water to hide traces of what had been done.
Legend says that at that moment five stars lit up on the water. Everyone who was on the bridge saw them, but then no one understood what they meant. Later, the Pope explained that this is a symbolism of the martyrdom of John of Nepomuk. Five stars mean the word “tacei” - silent. He was silent and did not reveal the queen’s secret confession. But in fact, the queen never broke her loyalty, and her biggest concern was her inability to bear children for the king.
The cult of John of Nepomuk spread throughout Europe. He, the patron saint of bridges and all professions related to water, will fulfill the most cherished wish made here on the bridge. The desire should be unique, not mercantile - Nepomuk does not solve financial problems. And you need to know the place where to make a wish.
How to make a wish
The sculpture of John of Nepomuk is always full of tourists who want to kiss the bronze tablets at the foot of the statue. Here they share with Saint John the most cherished dreams and desires. On the left - Queen Zsofia confesses to John of Nepomuk, kneeling. And in the foreground is a knight with a greyhound dog - a symbol of fidelity and devotion. WITH right side– a stone bridge from which soldiers throw the body of John of Nepomuk, and the figure of a woman sitting with her back. This is Queen Zsofia watching the sad event from the shore.
Bronze bas-reliefs are rubbed by tourists to a golden shine. But there are two secrets that not everyone knows. Firstly, these are not originals, but copies and not even the first. The originals have been in the museum for a long time. Tourists were very active in approaching them, asking for their wishes to be fulfilled. And secondly, this is not the place.
You need to make a wish at the very place where the dead martyr was thrown into the water over the parapet.
It is easy to find, thanks to the beautiful iron grating with the image of the body of John of Nepomuk, as if lying in the water. But the grille is not the main thing. Below it, right in the parapet, is a bronze cross with five stars - the symbol of the saint. This cross must be placed on left hand, with your right touch the image of the body on the grid and mentally say your most cherished desire. And then all that remains is to wait for its execution.
Hotels nearby
Near the Charles Bridge, within a radius of 200 meters to 1 km, there are about 250 hotels, hostels and apartments. The most popular hotels are Kampa Garden, U Jezulatka, U Páva, Smetana and Four Seasons.
Kampa Garden
Kampa Garden Hotel is just a 3-minute walk from Charles Bridge, making it especially convenient for morning walks. The quiet, calm atmosphere of Kampa Island, a beautiful view from the window of the river and the center of old Prague, many attractions nearby the hotel make it best place for family holidays.
The rooms are very clean, have a TV and Wi-Fi, and a selection of various goodies in the minibar. For breakfast, light dishes: scrambled eggs with sausages, aromatic pastries, fresh fruits and vegetables. Hotel guests are served by friendly, polite Prague residents.
U Jezulatka
The 400-year-old Hotel U Jezulatka is located so close to the Charles Bridge that you can admire the famous sculptures from all the windows. Not far from the hotel there is a favorite place of pilgrims– sculpture of the baby Jesus of Prague (Jezulatko) in the Church of the Virgin Mary Triumphant.
The rooms are spacious and comfortable, free Wi-Fi, plasma TVs with a wide range of channels. Hotel guests are treated to a delicious breakfast in the privacy of their rooms and in the stylish ambiance of the Club Restaurant, which offers stunning views of the Charles Bridge.
U Páva
The family-friendly Hotel U Páva is located close to the beauty of the Old Town Square. From here you can walk 2-3 minutes to the beaches of Kampa and the sights of Charles Bridge.
The charming atmosphere of the hotel with antique furniture and amazing paintings by Prague artists immerses guests in the atmosphere of the ancient city. And the presence of air conditioning and free Wi-Fi adds modern comfort. For breakfast– goodies in the form of a buffet. In the evening, in the cozy atmosphere of the club-bar, which is located in the hotel basement, you can enjoy an amazing list of Czech wines.
Smetana
Hotel Smetana is only 200 meters from Prague Castle and is the closest hotel to Charles Bridge. Here, at one time, outstanding personalities lived, such as the brilliant composer Mozart and the famous womanizer Casanova. In just 1 minute you can reach the Old Town Tower, where the entrance to Charles Bridge is located.
The rooms are well-kept, equipped with all the necessary equipment for comfort: a coffee machine, air conditioning, TV. All bath accessories are carefully arranged in the bathroom. There is a restaurant and a small cafe where guests are treated to national Czech cuisine. So that guests of the city can see all the sights and not collapse from fatigue, the helpful staff will help you book a car rental.
Four Seasons
The 5-star Four Seasons Hotel is located in the Old Town, just 300 meters from Staromestska Metro Station. Charles Bridge and other attractions of Mala Strana– just 5 minutes walk from the hotel. The hotel is truly huge - three buildings, two of which– vintage. Decorated in a historical style, but not without modern comforts. There is internet, television, air conditioning, minibar and other little things for the convenience of guests.
Here is the chic Cotto Crudo restaurant, where they serve amazing homemade pasta Italian recipes, and a cozy bar with cheese and wine cellars. There is also a spa with a wide range of cosmetic and water procedures. Guests arriving by car are provided with parking. And for those who cannot tear themselves away from work for even a minute, a special work area has been equipped. Without leaving the hotel you can book plane tickets and hire a translator.
How to get there
- On the left bank of the Vltava, near Malostranská Square, there is the Malostranská stop. Tram routes No. 1, 8, 12, 18, 20 and 22 and bus No. 192 go here from different parts of the city. You can also get there by metro (line A).
- On the right bank, near the Old Town Square, there are two tram stops: Staroměstská and Karlovy lázně on both sides of the bridge. Tram routes No. 17 and 18 go here, you can get there by bus No. 194 or by metro (line A).
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