Old Town Bridge Tower Building

Address: Old Town Bridge Tower, Charles Bridge (Karlův most), 110 00 Praha 1, Czech Republic

Website: https://www.prague.eu/en/object/places/93/old-town-bridge-tower

The Old Town Bridge Tower is the Gothic fortified tower that stands at the eastern end of the Charles Bridge in Prague’s Old Town. It marks the historic gateway between the Old Town and the bridge and is one of Prague’s best-known medieval towers.

Architectural highlights include Gothic sculptural decoration on the façade and an interior stair leading to a viewing platform that provides panoramic views of the Charles Bridge, the Vltava River and Prague Castle. The tower’s position makes it a frequent stop on walks across the bridge.

The tower was erected as part of Charles IV’s city-building program in the 14th century and functioned as both a defensive gate and a ceremonial entrance to the Old Town. Over subsequent centuries it was embellished with sculptural programs and restored to maintain its medieval appearance.

The tower sits at the eastern end of the Charles Bridge in Prague, directly adjacent to the bridge approach from Old Town streets and within easy walking distance of the Old Town Square.

• Gothic gateway: The tower is a major Gothic gateway structure at the east end of the Charles Bridge and forms part of Prague’s historic fortifications built under King Charles IV.

What to See#

• Observation platform: An elevated viewing platform within the tower that offers panoramic views along the length of the Charles Bridge and across the Vltava to Prague Castle and the Lesser Quarter.

The Old Town Bridge Tower stands at the Old Town end of Charles Bridge in Prague. Take Prague Metro line A to Staroměstská (or the tram to the Staroměstská/Old Town stops); from Staroměstská the tower and Charles Bridge are a 3-5 minute walk. It’s also a very short walk from Old Town Square.

• Go at sunrise or very early morning to experience the best unobstructed views of Charles Bridge and to climb the tower before the bridge fills with tourists.
• Enter from the Old Town side where the tower's ticket entrance is located, and allow time to climb the narrow stairway for the city and river panoramas that many visitors miss.