The Charles Bridge is Prague’s most familiar monument. Built in 1357, this 520m-long bridge (1770ft) was the only connection between the two halves of Prague for 400 years. Originally, the bridge was bare of ornamentation except for one solitary cross; however, as the Counter Reformation took hold in Bohemia, the bridge eventually gained over 30 Baroque statues. The earliest, erected in 1683, is a bronze statue of martyr St John of Nepomuk who was thrown off the bridge. Craft stalls and buskers along the bridge add to the atmosphere and make it a popular meeting place.

Prague Information Service, Betlémské námìstí 2, 116 98 Prague 1, Czech Republic
Tel: (02) 12444
Website: www.prague-info.cz

Air: Praha Ruzyn¨§ International Airport. Rail: Train: Hlavn¦Í n¦Ádraž¦Í Station (Prague Station). Underground: Starom¨§stsk¦Á. Tram: From Karlovy L¦Ázn¨§. Road: Bus: From Starom¨§stsk¦Á. Coach: Praha-Florenc Coach Station. Car: E48, E50, E55 or E67 towards Prague.

Cesk¦Á centr¦Ála cestovn¦Ího ruchu (Czech Tourist Authority)
Vinohradsk¦Á 46, PO Box 32, 120 41 Prague 2, Czech Republic
Tel: (02) 2158 0111. Fax: (02) 2425 7091 or 2424 7516. E-mail: cccr@cccr-cta.cz
Website: www.visitczechia.cz
Czech Tourist Authority
95 Great Portland Street, London W1N 5RA, UK
Tel: (020) 7291 9925 or (09063) 640 641 (24-hour enquiry line; calls cost 60p per minute). Fax: (020) 7436 8300. E-mail: ctainfo@czechcentre.org.uk
Website: www.visitczechia.cz or www.ccr-info.cz

Czech Republic, Prague