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Charles Bridge

 

To the right is a photo of the Charles Bridge which I took from the bell tower of the church of St.Nicolas in Mala Strana.  The bridge was actually known as the Prague Bridge for most of its life until late last century when it was renamed the Charles Bridge after King Charles IV.

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Another view of the Charles Bridge from up above.  This time the photo was taken from the bridge tower on the Stare Mesto side.  You can see the Strahov Monastery on the left, right on top of the hill, and the Prague Castle in the top right.

 

To the right is a view of the bridge towers and statues on the western end of the Charles Bridge.  The dome of the bell tower of the church of St. Nicholas in Mala Strana can be seen in the rear.

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Left is the statue of St. John Nepomuk (whose tomb is in St.Vitus Cathedral, see the page on the Prague Castle) which is at the Mala Strana end of the bridge.  There are a number of explanations as to why Nepomuk was executed in the late1300s by King Wenceslas IV.  One is that he heard the Queen's confessions which he would not reveal to the King, the other is that he was tortured to death for heresy. 

Notice the shiny gold spot on the lower right of the statue?  People touch this statue, believing it will bring them good luck.

 

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Walking down the bridge towards the Old Town early one December morning, after a recent snow fall.

 

These stairs (right and below) lead down from the Charles Bridge to Kampa Island.

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A statue on the Charles Bridge.