Prague, Czech Republic Travel Guide
About Getting Around Attractions Hotels Eats & Nightlife Essentials & Practicals
Charles Bridge (Karluv Most)
From Charles Bridge, Karluv Most, in Prague
Overview: The Charles Bridge is arguably where Prague can be seen at its best – most beautiful. Built in 1357 under Roman Emperor Charles IV, the grand and gothic Charles Bridge lies between Prague 1 area’s Old Town, which is east of the Vltava River, and the Mala Strana area, west of Vltava, where you’ll find Malostranske Namesti and St. Nicholas Church. The Charles Bridge is flanked on the east and west sides by towers, under which, you must pass. The bridge itself is lined with vendors of all kinds, selling photographs of Prague to jewelry. The Charles Bridge, supported underneath of a multitude of arches, is also graced with 30 baroque statues of saints along the rails.
Charles Bridge, Karluv Most, in Prague
Cost: There is no cost to walk across the bridge. The only cost for the bridge are the vendors selling their wares. There are a bevy of vendors selling quaint and authentic items to cheap, mass-produced items.
Accessibility: The bridge can be accessed from Old Town or Mala Strana. From Old Town, the climb up the bridge is steeper than from the Mala Strana side. It is more difficult to access the Prague Bridge from Old Town as there you must cross a busy street amidst a lot of pedestrians and the curb from the street just before the bridge is about 2 to 3 inches high with a bit of uneven pavement before the curb. The bridge itself is made up of half-cone stones – not mound-like but if you have small front casters on your wheelchair, the ride is a bit bumpy. A wheel across the Prague Bridge might be a bit rough – just a bit – but the experience and view is well worth the effort.
Charles Bridge, Karluv Most, in Prague
Getting There: It’s a beautiful walk/wheel to the bridge. You can wheel along the boardwalk along the river to get to the bridge.