Charles Bridge is one of Prague's most iconic landmarks, frequently featured on tourist souvenirs. However, while it attracts millions of visitors for its beauty, many overlook its tumultuous history.

Construction of Charles Bridge began in 1357 and was completed in 1402. Though King Charles IV did not live to see its completion, the bridge remains a lasting symbol of his imperial legacy. Over the centuries, the bridge has witnessed historic events and weathered numerous disasters. One legend claims that Charles IV laid the first stone at 5:31 a.m. on July 9, 1357, as he believed the numerical sequence 135797531 would fortify the bridge. While the legend can't be confirmed, the bridge still stands strong, having survived floods, wars, and the ravages of time.

In 1621, following the Battle of White Mountain, the heads of 27 anti-Habsburg revolutionaries were gruesomely displayed on the Old Town bridge tower. Then, during the Thirty Years' War, Charles Bridge became a battleground when Swedish forces attempted to push across the Vltava River into Old Town. Damage from the battle remains visible on the Old Town Tower, where gothic details are missing on the west-facing wall.

The statues that line Charles Bridge today are replicas of those installed in the late 17th through 19th centuries, depicting saints and important figures in Czech history. These include St. John of Nepomuk, whose statue was sculpted by Jan Brokoff in 1683, and others by prominent artists of the time. The statues' original installations span several centuries, with the oldest, a crucifix known as Calvary, believed to date back to the reign of Charles IV.

One notable plaque on the bridge commemorates the martyrdom of John of Nepomuk, who was drowned by order of King Wenceslas IV in 1393. Nepomuk's refusal to disclose a confession and his loyalty to the Archbishop of Prague led to his brutal torture and execution. A brass plaque and cross now mark the spot where he was thrown into the river, and he was canonized in 1729 by Pope Benedict XIII, becoming a protector against floods and drowning.

Charles Bridge continues to captivate visitors, not only for its picturesque beauty but also for its rich, storied past.

One of the most famous tales about Charles Bridge is the legend of St. John of Nepomuk, which adds a layer of mysticism to the bridge's history.

According to the tale, St. John of Nepomuk was the confessor of Queen Sophia, the wife of King Wenceslas IV. The king, known for his suspicious and tyrannical nature, became jealous and demanded that John reveal the queen’s confessions. When John refused to break the sacred seal of confession, Wenceslas flew into a rage. He had John tortured and eventually ordered him thrown from Charles Bridge into the Vltava River, where he drowned.

The legend says that when John’s body hit the water, five stars appeared above the spot where he drowned, which is why statues and depictions of him are often adorned with stars. To this day, a brass cross and a plaque on the bridge mark the place where he was thrown into the river. Local belief holds that if you touch the plaque with your left hand and make a wish, it will come true. This tradition has made the plaque one of the most touched and polished areas of Charles Bridge, often gleaming from the constant contact.

Another version of the tale suggests that John of Nepomuk wasn’t just the confessor of the queen, but also held the secret of her innocence in a royal scandal. King Wenceslas IV, suspecting his wife of infidelity, sought to know the truth through John, but the priest’s silence and integrity led to his tragic fate. Thus, St. John became not only a martyr for his faith but a symbol of loyalty and protection.

These tales, whether grounded in fact or legend, contribute to the mystique of Charles Bridge, blending Prague’s history with its rich folklore.