Locals appreciate Charles Bridge, the most popular tourist attraction of Prague in Czech Republic, with much pride. A landmark to history it spans the river Vltava between Old Town and Mala Strana. However, the mass tourism that the bridge attracts is it any good for it?
Tourism is part of the development of society, but it should also mean the interaction of cultures, through intermingling with the locals . With mass tourism this is not really possible.
Walking down the bridge towards the Old Town early one December morning, after a recent snow fall, Image credit
Gothic architecture and Baroque sculpture combine in the Charles Bridge. 30 statues and statuaries of saints line the bridge, bestowing beauty magic and romance to it. Packed with tourists, Painters and vendors, it stays abuzz with people and activity.
Charles Bridge at night
The bridge is 516 meters long and nearly 10 meters wide, resting on 16 arches shielded by ice guards. It is protected by three bridge towers, two of them on the Lesser Quarter side and the third one on the Old Town side.
Sunrise at the bridge, Image credit
History of the bridge
In 1357, Charles IV started the construction of a new bridge. The supervisor of the project was Peter Parler, who also constructed the chancel of the St. Vitus Cathedral.
John of Nepomuk
The Charles Bridge, named after King Charles, was 502 meters long. Resting on 16 arches it was wide enough for 4 carriages to cross at the same time and would be the only permanent link between both riversides. Charles Bridge used to be the most important connection between the Old Town, Prague Castle and adjacent areas until 1841.
Today Prague is one of the architectural treasure-chests of the European Union and a magnet for mass tourism. At dawn, dusk or during the night, the bridge is a wonderful place to see fantastic views of a beautiful city and to meet tourists and locals alike.
Source: BBC
