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The Charles Bridge Museum was opened in June 2007. It is located at
Krizovnicke namesti, at the foot of the bridge itself. The Knights of the
Cross, who have a long history of association with Charles Bridge,
provided a former monastery hospital as a venue for the museum. In
conjunction with the 650th anniversary, it features a permanent exhibition
which presents the historical and cultural context of the foundation,
development and present of this unique structure. The National Museum, Technical Museum, Museum of Prague, Prague Castle
Administration and Knights of the Cross all played a role in the
establishment of the museum.
We spoke to the founder and director of the museum, Zdenek Bergman.
How did the idea of starting a Charles Bridge Museum originate?
How did the idea of starting a Charles Bridge Museum originate?
The architect Ondrej Sefcu from the national memorial institute came up
with the idea - he designed the museum itself. We discussed the idea and
in the end had the good fortune to find a spot at the Judith Bridge and
right at the foot of Charles Bridge. We're very glad that City Hall
reacted positively to our project. It's supported us and that means we can
put together a lot of the exhibition in the form of a partnership.
What can visitors expect to find?
The most important item is a model of Charles Bridge and the Judith Bridge
- together in one model. They actually coexisted from the year Charles
Bridge began, 1357, to 1406. The Judith Bridge, which was probably one
third destroyed by flooding in 1342, was fixed up with wooden footbridges,
so people could cross it on foot until around 1406, a year after Charles
Bridge was completed. So it's unique - it's the first 3D model of how it
looked in the second half of the 14th century. Another exhibit that's unique in Europe is a building works. It has been
made by Dr Cihla and Petr Ruzicka, a joiner, and is a completely accurate
scientific exhibit of the art of building in the Gothic style. It includes
Gothic cranes and tools. In short all that exists about the laying of the
first stone of Charles Bridge is to be found in the exhibition.
There are a lot of celebrations marking the 650th anniversary. What should
visitors really not miss?
They really should try to be here on the night of July 8 and 9, when in
and around the museum there will be medieval merrymaking - a headless
templar, Zuzana the female barber...We're all looking to that, the event
is very close to our hearts. The Old Town is our home and we'd like to
invite everybody who feels the same to come and enjoy Charles Bridge with
us.
New exhibits
 The model of Charles Bridge, The findings...
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Charles IV and the Knights
of the Cross
This section captures the reign of Charles IV and also focuses on the
mining of gold and silver.
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Building works
The skilled building work carried out on Charles Bridge is the focus of
this section.
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Archaeology
This section features a unique model of Prague Castle and the area below
it from the 10th century, including the original wooden bridge.
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Water construction
Models borrowed from the collection of the National Museum.
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Gallery
This part of the museum features short-term exhibitions thematically
linked to Charles Bridge.
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Charles Bridge Museum
Krizovnicke namesti 3
Open daily from 10:00 to 20:00
www.muzeumkarlovamostu.cz
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