Old Town Bridge Tower, Prague
The grandeur of Gothic architecture finds ample expression in the Old Town Tower Bridge, situated at one end of the Charles Bridge. Constructed in the 14th century, it was envisioned as a triumphant arch for the procession of Bohemian Kings during their coronation journey from the Old Town to Prague Castle. It was also a crucial part of the city's medieval defenses against northern invaders.
Above the arch, you can see the coat of arms of the Bohemian Kingdom and the emblem of King Wenceslas IV, depicted as a kingfisher. Above these symbols stand three statues: Charles IV on the right, Wenceslas IV on the left, and Saint Vitus in the center. Higher up, near the tower's apex, are statues of saints Vojtech and Sigismund, patrons of the Czech land.
The east and west facades, once embellished, fell victim to destruction by invading Swedish forces in 1648 during the culmination of the Thirty Years' War. Commemorating this event is a stone plaque portraying Prague citizens repelling the invaders, installed shortly after.
Initially serving as a debtor's prison, the tower's first floor now houses a brief documentary detailing the bridge and tower's history. For a fee, visitors can ascend 139 steps to the top floor for a breathtaking panoramic view of the city.
Two mysterious inscriptions can be seen on the archway roof. These palindromes, "Signate Signate mere me tangis et angis" and "Roma tibi subito motibus ibit amor," hold obscure origins, with some speculating they may have served as protective spells against evil forces.
Why You Should Visit:
An iconic emblem of the city's landscape, offering unrivaled views of the Prague Castle over the Vltava River.
Tip:
Consider descending the first two or three flights of stairs backward from the top for added ease.
Above the arch, you can see the coat of arms of the Bohemian Kingdom and the emblem of King Wenceslas IV, depicted as a kingfisher. Above these symbols stand three statues: Charles IV on the right, Wenceslas IV on the left, and Saint Vitus in the center. Higher up, near the tower's apex, are statues of saints Vojtech and Sigismund, patrons of the Czech land.
The east and west facades, once embellished, fell victim to destruction by invading Swedish forces in 1648 during the culmination of the Thirty Years' War. Commemorating this event is a stone plaque portraying Prague citizens repelling the invaders, installed shortly after.
Initially serving as a debtor's prison, the tower's first floor now houses a brief documentary detailing the bridge and tower's history. For a fee, visitors can ascend 139 steps to the top floor for a breathtaking panoramic view of the city.
Two mysterious inscriptions can be seen on the archway roof. These palindromes, "Signate Signate mere me tangis et angis" and "Roma tibi subito motibus ibit amor," hold obscure origins, with some speculating they may have served as protective spells against evil forces.
Why You Should Visit:
An iconic emblem of the city's landscape, offering unrivaled views of the Prague Castle over the Vltava River.
Tip:
Consider descending the first two or three flights of stairs backward from the top for added ease.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Prague. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Old Town Bridge Tower on Map
Sight Name: Old Town Bridge Tower
Sight Location: Prague, Czech Republic (See walking tours in Prague)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Prague, Czech Republic (See walking tours in Prague)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Prague, Czech Republic
Create Your Own Walk in Prague
Creating your own self-guided walk in Prague is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Old Town Souvenir Shopping
Strolling through the Old Town of Prague, souvenir shopping becomes a delightful adventure. Indeed, it would be a pity to leave Prague without having explored its specialty shops and bringing home something truly original and unique to the city.
One of the prime spots for such endeavors is the Municipal House, a majestic Art Nouveau building that houses various shops and boutiques. Here,... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.7 Km or 1.1 Miles
One of the prime spots for such endeavors is the Municipal House, a majestic Art Nouveau building that houses various shops and boutiques. Here,... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.7 Km or 1.1 Miles
Lesser Town Walking Tour
Mala Strana (or "Lesser Town") is a district in Prague situated on the left bank of the Vltava River. Renowned for its architectural beauty, this is one of the capital's most historically significant neighborhoods. Back in the Middle Ages, it was predominantly populated by ethnic Germans and, in later years, despite the prevalence of Baroque in its architecture, largely retained its... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.9 Km or 2.4 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.9 Km or 2.4 Miles
Prague Introduction Walking Tour
Nicknamed 鈥渢he City of a Hundred Spires,鈥� Prague is home to a wealth of attractions, including more than ten major museums, numerous theatres, galleries, and plethora of historic sights.
The Czech name Praha derives from an old Slavic word pr谩h, which means "ford" or "rapid", referring to the city's origin at a crossing point of the Vltava river. The legendary... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles
The Czech name Praha derives from an old Slavic word pr谩h, which means "ford" or "rapid", referring to the city's origin at a crossing point of the Vltava river. The legendary... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles
New Town Walking Tour
The youngest (founded in 1348) and the largest (three times the size of the Old Town), the New Town (or Nove Mesto) of Prague is one of the five originally independent townships that today form the historic center of the Czech capital. This vibrant district offers a mix of historical charm and modern amenities and is traditionally dense with tourists.
At its heart lies Wenceslas Square, a... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.1 Km or 1.9 Miles
At its heart lies Wenceslas Square, a... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.1 Km or 1.9 Miles
Hradcany (Castle District) Walking Tour
Hradcany, or the Castle District, is a historical neighborhood in Prague brimming with cultural landmarks and architectural marvels.
The area is centered around Prague Castle, reportedly the biggest castle complex in the world. Dating back as far as the 9th century, the castle has been the residence of Bohemian kings, Holy Roman emperors, leaders of socialist Czechoslovakia, and currently the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
The area is centered around Prague Castle, reportedly the biggest castle complex in the world. Dating back as far as the 9th century, the castle has been the residence of Bohemian kings, Holy Roman emperors, leaders of socialist Czechoslovakia, and currently the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
Old Town Walking Tour
The Star茅 M臎sto (Old Town) of Prague is a former medieval settlement that is now a lively cobblestoned hub with landmark attractions.
The area was once separated from the outside world by a semi-circular moat and a wall, hugged by the Vltava river. The moat is now covered up by streets, which form the official boundary of the Old Town. One of them, called Na P艡铆kop臎 (literally 鈥淥n the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
The area was once separated from the outside world by a semi-circular moat and a wall, hugged by the Vltava river. The moat is now covered up by streets, which form the official boundary of the Old Town. One of them, called Na P艡铆kop臎 (literally 鈥淥n the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
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