Readers from Šumperk travel in Prague: Charles Bridge and its surroundings
During the covid, Charles Bridge remained one of Prague’s few attractive access points for anyone. Especially foreign tourists admire the panorama of the then inaccessible Prague Castle, they disappeared, and so mostly mostly locals remained faithful.
Karlův, originally Kamenný, is the oldest standing most across the Vltava River in Prague. It replaced the previous Judith’s Bridge, torn down in 1342 during the spring melting of the ice.
Construction of the new bridge began in 1357 under King Charles IV. and was completed in 1402. Thanks to the stone bridge, Prague has become an important stop on European trade routes.
Since the end of the 17th century, 30 mostly Baroque statues and sculptural groups have been gradually placed on the most. Originally it was called only “Kamenný” or “Pražský”. The name “Charles Bridge” took hold around 1870. Until 1816, tolls were collected on the bridge.
During and after the overhaul in 1965–1978, it was mostly reserved for pedestrians only. Surprisingly, the century-old bridge survived the century-old water without visible damage.
Nevertheless, the bridge is still being repaired, the statues are gradually being replaced by copies and original equipment after sensitive repairs to the lapidary.
From 1905, a tram ran along the bridge. The electric current was conducted through the bridge deck on special rails, which the inventor František Křižík designed so that the trolleys did not disturb the artistic appearance of the bridge.
After three years, the trams of the bridge turned out to be harmful, so in 1908 they were replaced by buses on the tracks. But even they didn’t work.
The following year, bus traffic was canceled and was not resumed until 1932, when buses were already running on tires. Public transport operated here until World War II.
Lenka Hoffmannová