Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Statue of St John
of Nepomuk
Rubbing the brass relief
(right) of the saint shown
diving into the river is an
old tradition, thought to
bring good luck;
petting the adjacent
brass dog is a new one.
Statue of St
Luitgard
Matthias Brauns' 1710
depiction of a blind nun's
dream, in which the
crucified Christ permitted
her to touch his wounds
(below) , retains a
timeless appeal.
Statue of
Bruncvik
Peer over the bridge's
southern edge to see the
Czech's answer to King
Arthur. Bruncvik and his
army are promised to
awaken and save Prague
at the city's most
desperate hour.
Antonin
One of many artists
selling work from the
bridge, Antonin paints
portraits of himself as
the devil. His proximity
to the ≥ertovka (Devil's
Canal) may be the key.
Statue of the
Trinitarian Order
This religious order was
set up to ransom
prisoners of war from the
Crusades and buy Chris-
tians back their freedom;
hence the bored Turk
guarding the cell.
Our Lady of the
Mangles
The portrait of Mary
hanging on the house
south of the bridge
(above) is tied to an
ancient tale of
miraculous healing.
Seeing the light go out
on the balcony below is
supposedly an omen of
imminent death - don't
stare too long.
When to Visit
Charles Bridge
During summer, and
increasingly year-round,
the bridge is well nigh
impassable throughout
the day, crowded with
artists, tourists and the
odd Dixieland jazz band.
It's best seen in the
early hours as the sun
rises over the Old Town
bridge tower. A late
evening stroll gives a
similarly dramatic view,
with the illuminated St
Nicholas's Church and
castle looming above.
Statue of Sts
Cyril and
Methodius
Greek missionaries who
brought both Christianity
and the Cyrillic alphabet
to the Czech lands, Cyril
and Methodius are
national heroes to this
day. Karel Dvo∫ák created
this statue (right) in 1928
at the peak of
Czechoslovakia's period
of National Awakening,
following independence.
19
Search WWH ::




Custom Search