KARLŮV MOST /Charles Bridge Prague, Czech Republic

KARLŮV MOST /Charles Bridge Prague, Czech Republic.
Walking the Castle District or the Old Town of Prague is like walking through the streets of a fairy tale. Colourful facades, a stunning mix of architectural styles it is easy to see why the city is the big attraction for the tourists from all over the world.
During the visit of Somehow every visitor to Prague is drawn to one spot in particular, as if by a force of gravity, and that spot is the majestic Charles Bridge.
Charles Bridge in Czech language pronounced as: Karlův most is a medieval stone arch bridge that crosses the Vltava (Moldau) river in Prague, Czech Republic. Its construction started in 1357 under the auspices of King Charles IV, and finished in the early 15th century. The bridge replaced the old Judith Bridge built 1158–1172 that had been badly damaged by a flood in 1342. This new bridge was originally called Stone Bridge (Kamenný most) or Prague Bridge (Pražský most), but has been referred to as "Charles Bridge" since 1870. As the only means of crossing the river Vltava until 1841, Charles Bridge was the most important connection between Prague Castle and the city's Old Town and adjacent areas. This land connection made Prague important as a trade route between Eastern and Western Europe.
A UNESCO World Heritage site, the bridge is 516 metres long and nearly 10 metres wide. It is protected by three bridge towers, two on the Lesser Quarter side (including the Malá Strana Bridge Tower) and one on the Old Town side, the Old Town Bridge Tower. The bridge is decorated by a continuous alley of 30 statues and statuaries, most of them baroque-style, originally erected around 1700, but now all have been replaced by replicas.

There are some “urban myths”, connected with Charles Bridge.

First is the construction date, Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV was not only devoutly religious but also believed heavily in numerology.
The year 1357, 9th day of the 7th month at 5:31 am in the morning, or a pyramid of odd numbers 9 7 7 5 5 3 3 1 1. Second legend believes that Charles IV insisted that every village in his Kingdom supply him with a horse cart full of eggs so the egg whites could be used in the mortar to hold the bridge together. The third legend relating to Charles Bridge is based around the most famous statue on the bridge, that of Jan of Nepomuk. He was the court priest to Wenceslas IV the son of Charles. Wenceslas was a quite a horrible man, he would often walk around the markets of Prague in disguise and if a merchant sold him under weight good he would have the merchant nailed to his scales. Now Wenceslas confronted Jan and demanded to know what the Queen had told him during her confession.
Jan refused and as punishment the King had Jan’s tongue cut out, he was tied up in a sack and was thrown off the Charles Bridge into the heaving Vltava River below!
Jan’s body then floated in the same spot for several days and when it sank a ring or crown of five stars circled the water where his body disappeared.
The Charles Bridge’s most famous statue is of Jan and below it are two reliefs.
The one on the left shows a solider patting a dog and represents loyalty. And the relief on the righ;t shows Jan being thrown into the river. Rubbing the relief of the solider is supposed to bring you good luck and rubbing the relief of Jan being thrown from the bridge means you will return to Prague. A little further down the bridge is a small iron framework with a depiction of Jan floating below the bridge. This is the exact point where he was thrown to his death; it is also good luck to rub this one. Charles Bridge has many faces, the hustle, bustle and energy of the day during each and the magical and mysterious by night.
During the day the bridge is packed. Tourists and locals alike jostle for position for that perfect photo of the Castle, or peruse the myriad of artists plying their wares. You will find hand made jewellery; caricature artists and some amazing painters and photographers lined either side eager to help you spend money. Not only that but it is not uncommon to find jazz bands, Dixie bands and soloists all eagerly entertaining passers by hoping for a generous coin or two thrown into their hat.
At night however the bridge really comes alive. Towering over the bridge the illuminated Castle looks more like a giant painting or film set. The towers and statues illuminated at night throw an eerie light over the bridge and you can feel the myths and legends enveloping you from all sides. While the Charles Bridge is great fun during the day to get a real sense of the true magic of the bridge you must visit it at night.

By Anonymous - zeller.de, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4489457

By Szymon Czechowicz - wolnelektury.pl, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1483200

By Franz Xavier Karl Palko - Gallery, Prague, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=89093394