Archiv für 27. Oktober 2012
Charles Bridge Prague
Charles Bridge is one of the most beautiful bridges in the world and the oldest bridge in Prague. It is almost 10m wide, 516m long and rests on 16 arches.
Towers guard both ends of the bridge – the Old Town Bridge Tower and two Malá Strana Bridge Tower.
The bridge is embellished with 30 Baroque statues and sculptural groups from the early 18th century depicting saints, and historical and biblical figures.
Charles Bridge is a popular place among street performers and artists – painters, musicians, dancers, mime artists.
The date and time the first stone was laid was not left to chance. They form the palindrome 1357-9-7531(year 1357, day 9.7., time 5.31).
In 1393 John of Nepomuk, a vicar who refused to betray the confessional secrets of Queen Sofia to Czech King Wenceslas IV was cast from Charles Bridge into the Vltava. In the mid-18th century he was made a saint. On the wall, from which he was thrown, a small brass cross with five stars was erected (between the statue of John the Baptist and statues of St Norbert, St Wenceslas and St Sigmund). According to legend, a person who places his hand on the cross so that each finger touches one of the stars will have a secret wish fulfilled.
There are many mysterious or funny stories connected to the Charles Bridge. The truth is that the construction workers ended up in the 1402. It is hard to estimate, when then went into retirement, but it is clear that the productive life of one man did not cover the entire event. The work, according to archaeological surveys, Judith went over the bridge, respectively on his remains. Although he fell during a flood, but retained part of its structure and thus could at least serve as a wooden footbridge. When the Charles Bridge was completed, it seems the people of Prague had been knocked down.