Prague: The bridge

Oh, that bridge. 

The most famous bridge in Prague. The Charles Bridge. Couples’ paradise and bird heaven. The latter is my kind of nightmare. 

I’ve seen a lot of photos of the bridge, but not much the path leading to it and also the people, artists and birds around and on it. Where do these birds come from? Where do they go at night? Why, why are there so many? It was a thrill to see it in person, even if my first encounter was from inside the bus.

프라하에서 가장 유명한 다리. 까를교. 찰스교. 찰스다리. 예뻤지만 새가 너무 많아서 좀 무서웠던 것이 사실. 멀리서 봐도 사람들로 바글바글하다. 미술가, 음악가, 밴드, 여행객, 강아지, 개, 비둘기, 다양한 생명체들이 엄청 많아서 정신이 하나도 없지만 주변 건물들도 예쁘고 음악도 있고 해서 로맨틱하다. 곳곳에서 그림도 그려주고 노래도 부르고. 반전이 있다면 비가 오면 패닉이 된다.

The construction started in 1357 and was finished in the 15th century. It was the only bridge that allowed crossing the Vltava river until 1841 and this made Prague an important trading route between Eastern and Western Europe. Short/long boat trips along the Vltava river are also available but sadly, it was too cold and rainy to try it out. The “sailors,” who were in charge of luring tourists to their cruises, looked a bit tired, which was understandable. They would start waving some cards and tourist maps in front of our faces, but then would lose their excitement and gather together in the corner, smoking and whispering away.

1357년에 공사가 시작되어 15세기에 완공되었지만 그 이후에 몇번 공사도 있었고 바닥도 새로 깔았다. 1841년까지만해도 체코의 블타바 강을 건너는 유일한 다리라서 동유럽과 서유럽을 잇는 중요한 곳이었다. 안타까운 점이 있다면 다리 양쪽으로는 굉장히 관광지스러워서 뭔가 플래스틱 느낌이 강하게 난다.

비가 와서 할일이 없는 세일러 아저씨. (아무도 우산을 쓰고 있지 않지만 분명히 비가 보슬보슬 오고 있었다)

The bridge is decorated and “protected” by 30 statues and statuaries. They depict various saints and patron saints but none of them are originals. (The originals are exhibited at the National Museum)

다리 곳곳에 총 30개의 조각상들이 있는데 처음엔 열심히 보다가 나중엔 너무 많아서 집중력이 흐트러지는 상황 발생.

I look a little scared but I couldn’t help it. There were like 20 people waiting in line behind me to take their photos.

만지면 복이 온다는 장식물. 겁먹은 표정인 이유는 내 뒤에 카메라 들고 기다리는 사람이 한 20명.

Those little dots that look like pretty little seashells in the bottom are birds.

All photos by rachelsanghee