St. John of Nepomuk, Charles Bridge, Prague

Charles Bridge (Karlov Most) is a famous historical bridge that crosses the Viltava river in Prague and named for the city's inspirational medieval leader, the man who really put it on the map during his lifetime, and most impressively, for centuries to come. Back in King Charles' times, this was the main pedestrian route linking the Old Town with Mala Strana, and then onto Prague Castle. The bridge is decorated on each side by 30 baroque statues that are impressive, and one of which is said to be able to give you good luck. I love the Charles Bridge, and it turns out, I am not alone. The streets going from the Old Town to the bridge were not at all crowded when I was there last month, but the bridge itself was if anything, more crowded than when I was there in the summer.

My favorite Charles Bridge story involves John of Nepomuk, who was a priest in Prague under King Wenceslas IV (son of Charles IV). The Queen made a confession to John of Nepomuk. Unfortunately for him, the King being a very suspicious man, pressed John of Nepomuk for the Queen’s confessions which John of Nepomuk would not reveal, not even to the King (perhaps the Queen revealed something in her confession that the King should not know). John of Nepomuk was executed by being thrown into the Viltava River from the bridge and drowned as punishment for his refusal to the King. So sad, right? Well, he achieved sainthood, if that is any consolation. It is thought that touching his statue, or the marker of where he went into the river, or on the statue of him on the bridge, can grant wishes and good luck to the person who rubs it (not hard to figure out where to rub--the bronze is rubbed clean in those spots).