Charles Bridge, Prague. Courtesy of Czech Tourist Authority
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Charles Bridge
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When:
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Daily
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Where:
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Charles Bridge
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| Costs: |
Bridge free; museum Kc100; concessions Kc70
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| Opening Hours: |
Bridge 24 hours; museum daily 10am-8pm
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Charles Bridge links the Old Town and Prague Castle to the Malá Strana or Lesser Town. It's part of the Royal Way from Staré Mesto to Malá Strana. Visit the new museum and savour a solitary wander at dawn.
Commissioned by the Czech king and Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV, construction on the bridge began in 1357, intended to create a functional highway for jousting tournaments. It remained relatively unadorned until the 17th century, when Catholic tastes saw the introduction of 30 baroque statues. The bridge is also flanked by two towers: the Old Town Bridge Tower dating from 1380 and affording spectacular views of the city, and the Mala Strana Bridge Tower, dating from the 15th century and housing an exhibition dedicated to the history of the bridge.
Nowadays, the bridge is packed throughout the day with tourists, buskers, street painters and vendors, but visit as dawn breaks to experience fantastic views of the city in relative solitude.
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