This iconic structure, connecting Old Town with Lesser Town (Malá Strana), has been a focal point of Prague’s urban landscape for centuries. It was built on the site of the former Judith Bridge, which was destroyed by floods in one thousand three hundred forty-two. The construction of Charles Bridge began in one thousand three hundred fifty-seven under the direction of King Charles IV and I have heard some really interesting stories about this bridge. The king had a deep belief in astrology and numerology, so he meticulously chose the exact date and time to lay the first stone as five thirty-one in the morning on July ninth, one thousand three hundred fifty-seven. The reason? The date and time form a palindrome: one-three-five-seven-nine-seven-five-three-one where one thousand three hundred fifty-seven is the year, nine is the date, seven represents July, and the time five thirty-one was chosen to complete the series. This sequence, which mirrors itself, was believed to bring strength and longevity to the bridge. But Charles IV didn’t stop there. He also ensured that the bridge was reinforced with an unusual ingredient: eggs. According to legend, builders mixed thousands of eggs into the mortar to make the bridge stronger. Villagers from surrounding areas were asked to contribute, but the village of Velvary mistakenly sent boiled eggs instead of raw ones, much to the amusement of the rest of Prague. This story has been passed down through the generations and given that the bridge has stood the test of time, maybe the King’s beliefs actually worked! Or maybe it is the fact that the bridge stands on sixteen arches, each supported by a set of robust pillars designed to withstand the strong currents of the Vltava River that has helped it last! The construction of Charles Bridge took forty-five years and today Charles Bridge is the oldest bridge in Prague and the second oldest surviving bridge in the Czech Republic, after the Stone Bridge in Písek. This bridge is incredibly popular among tourists and as you can probably see, it gets really crowded. It was also very crowded in the beginning of the nineteenth century as the city was expanding, so more bridges were constructed. But many of the newer bridges had a toll and so people continued to use this one, making it very crowded. Only more wealthy citizens used to pay the toll to avoid the crowds and use the other bridges. Today, you have many options to cross the river but this remains a favorite. As you start to walk across the bridge, look towards the Castle (it’s impossible to miss it) and you will find a great view. This is one of my personal favorite views of the castle, especially at night when it looks like a fairytale castle straight out of a Disney movie. I have included a photo I took at night if you swipe on the image above. Because of its central location and the ever-changing light, Charles Bridge is a place you can visit multiple times throughout the day, and each time it offers a different perspective. I do recommend coming back here again if you can. Next, let’s focus on the statues that you see on either side of the bridge.