A nice bridge that everyone wants to see (Charles Bridge (Prague))

Member Name: worst_trip

Product:	Charles Bridge (Prague)
Date:	13/05/09 (6 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Splendid, free attraction in Prague

Disadvantages: Very crowded during the day

Erm...though seems a bit inappropriate to complain about tourists when you've just visited a landmark in a foriegn country AS a tourist, that said, the Charles Bridge is, in most daylight hours so tightly packed with crowds and crowds of tourists, that crossing it makes for a rather claustrophobic experience really. The structure itself is something else - with huge square towers at both ends and great gothic statues at regular intervals on both sides. The wide river Vlatava that flows beneath it is an equally impressive sight - and the 'undercarriage' of the bridge - you can pass under the stone arches of it at the ends - is also quite atmospheric. But, as a tourist, your primary function in life seems to be fleeced by local tradesmen, and there are unfortunate reminders of this throughout this area. The bridge itself has dozens of cartoon artists and bridge artists set up right along its length - they will draw your caricature while you wait or, if you prefer, you could buy a picture of the bridge, or failing that a caricature or pencil sketch of your favourite movie star from them. Of Angelina Jolie, for example (who may or may not have some connection with Prague that I'm not aware of) - Ms Jolie seemed to be a particularly favourite subject for quite a few of these guys. Worse than the artists and hand-made jewellrey touts are the numerous identical Prague souviner shops that crowd the areas on either side of the bridge, however. How anyone ever makes a profit in this environment - where everyone is selling exactly the same - and to be quite honest, godawful ugly tat - has to be one of Prague's great mysteries.

Summary: A nice bridge, but every visitor to Prague wants to see it - usually at the same time, it feels like