The Old Town Bridge Tower (Staroměstská mostecká věž) is considered one of the most beautiful Gothic structures in Europe. It stands in the Old Town on Křižovnické Square at the right-bank entrance to Charles Bridge.
It is a Gothic tower built by Petr Parléř in the 1370s and 1380s together with the bridge. The tower was constructed not only as a fortification but also represents a kind of ceremonial triumphal arch. Charles IV led the coronation procession route through it — the so-called Royal Route. The tower is shaped as a three-storey rectangular block with crenellations and a tall hipped roof covered in slate. All its sculptural decoration is by Petr Parléř, or rather his workshop. In the 20th century, most of the large Gothic sandstone sculptures were removed and gradually replaced by replicas.
You can reach the gallery of the tower up 138 steps; the height is 47 metres above the bridge level. The tower itself is built of sandstone blocks. It is pierced by a typical Gothic pointed arch gate, which used to be closable.
As you walk through the tower, look up. The passage is vaulted with a unique Parléř vault with triple ribs and a crown instead of a keystone. The first and second floors and the rooftop gallery are now open to visitors.
You can capture beautiful photographs of this tower on one of our regular Vltava cruises.
