Praque, Czech Republic

Charles Bridge (Karluv Most) is a 14th century stone bridge linking the two sides of Prague. This magnificent structure is one of the city's finest attractions, and is the main pedestrian route connecting the Old Town with the Lesser Town (Mala Strana) and Prague Castle.

From Charles Bridge visitors enjoy fairy-tale views of the Prague skyline. The wide expanse of the river flows beneath it, flanked on both sides by elegant buildings. Prague Castle towers above in its eminent position. Here you are truly in the centre of the city.Charles Bridge throngs with people during the day. Street artists sketch and musicians play; look out for the jazz band, who are particularly entertaining. But for a truly romantic and less crowded stroll, try early morning or any time in the evening.King Charles IV commissioned the bridge. The foundation stone was laid in 1357. Charles IV's favourite architect and builder, Peter Parler, oversaw the majority of the work. The initial idea was to build a functional construction for knight tournaments, and for many years the only decoration on the bridge was a simple crucifix. Later, the Catholic desire for ornamentation resulted in 30 statues being erected between 1600 and 1800.There are now 75 statues on Charles Bridge, but most are copies, as floods and catastrophes over the centuries damaged the originals. Perhaps the most interesting, as well as the oldest, is that of John of Nepomuk (8th from the right as you cross towards Prague Castle).The entrance to Charles Bridge is marked at both ends by towers: the Old Town Bridge Tower and the Mala Strana Bridge Tower.

The Lesser Town Bridge Tower is situated at one end of Charles Bridge, and is the ancient gate to the Lesser Town (Mala Strana).

For tourists arriving from the Old Town, this is the main pedestrian entrance to the Lesser Town, a lovely quarter of Prague with restaurants, bars and boutique shops.The Lesser Town Bridge Tower was built in the second half of the 15th century under the rule of King George of Podebrady. The model for its construction was undoubtedly the Old Town Bridge Tower, constructed earlier on the opposite side of Charles Bridge.Connected to the Lesser Town Bridge Tower by a walkway is a smaller tower, Judith's Tower, the only remaining part of the original Prague bridge, the Romanesque Judith's Bridge, which was destroyed by floods in 1342.Inside the Lesser Town Bridge Tower is an exhibition dedicated to the eventful history of Charles Bridge, with graphic descriptions of the invading armies that have crossed it.

There are stairs to the top, which you can climb for a fine view over the Lesser Town, Charles Bridge, the Vltava River and across into Prague's Old Town.A small Prague Tourist Information Office is also sited here, open April-November