Prague Castle and Charles Bridge

Before we left, everyone said there were two must go places in Prague, Prague Castle and Charles Bridge, so we headed out. Just as we got close to the bridge, the sun came out, and the view was amazing!

 

Charles Bridge and Prague Castle

 

Prague Castle from the Old Town side

Charles Bridge from the Prague Castle side

Charles Bridge was built in 1357, commissioned by Charles IV, who laid the first stone. It crosses the Vltava River. It has been through a lot of damage and repairs over the years. It used to be a crucial connection for trade from Western Europe to Eastern Europe. Today it is a pedestrian bridge host to vendors and 30 or so statues from various artists with various themes.

 

There are towers on either side of the bridge that served as defenses. In 1648, at the end of the Thirty Years' War, the Swedes all but destroyed the river side of the tower in an attempt to take over the Old Town.

Just to my left in the above picture was probably my favorite of all the places we went. It was a marionette shop, and I was like a kid in there. I really like the characature look of them, and how they are just hanging there ready to be animated.

 

I checked into going to see a show, but it didn't work out. Maybe next time!

 

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