Charles Bridge

Charles Bridge has spanned the Vltava River since the 14th century, linking Prague's Old Town on the east bank to the Lesser Town on the west — making it one of the oldest surviving stone bridges in Europe. Emperor Charles IV laid the foundation stone on 9 July 1357 at 5:31 a.m., a moment chosen for its numerological symmetry (1-3-5-7-9-7-5-3-1), suggesting the medieval builders took cosmic timing seriously. For centuries it was the only fixed crossing of the Vltava and served as the coronation route for Bohemian kings; it didn't receive its current name until 1870. Thirty Baroque statues of saints now line the sandstone parapet, the most touched being the bronze relief of St. John of Nepomuk — rubbing it is said to guarantee a return to Prague. Today street musicians, artisan vendors and an unobstructed view of Prague Castle make it one of Europe's most animated pedestrian crossings at any hour.