Prague’s historic Charles Bridge has stood for centuries as one of Europe’s most famous and beloved stone crossings, filled with rich mystery and historical significance.
This quiz covers the unique construction details, the architectural styles of its towers, and the famous Baroque statues lining this grand medieval structure.
When you are done, look at our quizzes on bridges and engineering, learn about other historic places, or explore cities of the world.
Which river in Prague is spanned by the historic Charles Bridge?
Elbe River
Elbe River
Vltava River
Vltava River
Oder River
Oder River
Danube River
Danube River
Charles Bridge was commissioned in the 14th century by which monarch?
King Přemysl Otakar II
King Přemysl Otakar II
King Wenceslaus II
King Wenceslaus II
Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV
Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV
King John of Bohemia
King John of Bohemia
In which year did construction on the bridge officially begin?
1357
1357
1347
1347
1367
1367
1377
1377
What was the Charles Bridge originally known as before it was officially named after its builder in the 19th century?
Suspension bridge
Suspension bridge
Iron bridge
Iron bridge
Stone bridge
Stone bridge
Wooden bridge
Wooden bridge
Legend claims that the mortar used to construct the bridge was strengthened by the addition of what substance?
Olive oil
Olive oil
Animal blood
Animal blood
Volcanic ash
Volcanic ash
Egg yolks
Egg yolks
The architectural style of the bridge’s defensive towers is primarily associated with which era?
Art Nouveau
Art Nouveau
Neoclassical
Neoclassical
Renaissance
Renaissance
Gothic
Gothic
Which tower is widely considered one of the most beautiful Gothic gateways in the world?
Zizkov Tower
Zizkov Tower
Powder Tower
Powder Tower
Old Town Bridge Tower
Old Town Bridge Tower
Lesser Town Bridge Tower
Lesser Town Bridge Tower
Roughly how many sculptures, mostly in the Baroque style, line the length of the bridge?
40
40
50
50
20
20
30
30
Which saint’s statue is the oldest on the bridge, placed there in 1683?
St. George
St. George
St. John of Nepomuk
St. John of Nepomuk
St. Vitus
St. Vitus
St. Wenceslaus
St. Wenceslaus
What is the common superstition associated with the statue of St. John of Nepomuk on Charles Bridge?
The statue is made of solid gold
The statue is made of solid gold
Touching the statue brings good luck and ensures a return to the city
Touching the statue brings good luck and ensures a return to the city
The statue marks the exact center of the bridge
The statue marks the exact center of the bridge
The statue acts as a compass for travelers
The statue acts as a compass for travelers
When were the majority of Charles Bridge’s statues added to the structure?
primarily during the 18th and early 19th centuries
primarily during the 18th and early 19th centuries
primarily during the 16th and early 17th centuries
primarily during the 16th and early 17th centuries
primarily during the 15th and early 16th centuries
primarily during the 15th and early 16th centuries
primarily during the 17th and early 18th centuries
primarily during the 17th and early 18th centuries
According to legend, why was St. John of Nepomuk thrown from Charles Bridge into the Vltava River?
Because he stole gold from the royal treasury
Because he stole gold from the royal treasury
Because he refused to bless the bridge’s foundation stone
Because he refused to bless the bridge’s foundation stone
Because he refused to break the seal of confession
Because he refused to break the seal of confession
Because he designed a flawed arch that collapsed
Because he designed a flawed arch that collapsed
At which end of Charles Bridge are there two towers of different heights and architectural styles?
Lesser Town Side
Lesser Town Side
Old Town Side
Old Town Side
New Town Side
New Town Side
Castle District Side
Castle District Side
Which renowned architect, also responsible for St. Vitus Cathedral, took over the construction of Charles Bridge after the death of the first master builder, Master Otto?
Jan Blažej Santini-Aichel
Jan Blažej Santini-Aichel
Filippo Brunelleschi
Filippo Brunelleschi
Matthias of Arras
Matthias of Arras
Petr Parléř
Petr Parléř
According to legend, astrologers determined the exact moment to lay the foundation stone of Charles Bridge. When was this precise, palindrome-based date and time?
1357 September 7th at 5:31 am
1357 September 7th at 5:31 am
1357 July 9th at 7:35 am
1357 July 9th at 7:35 am
1357 July 9th at 5:31 am
1357 July 9th at 5:31 am
1357 September 9th at 7:53 am
1357 September 9th at 7:53 am
Charles Bridge served as a vital part of the coronation path for Czech kings. What is this historic path officially called?
Royal Route
Royal Route
King’s Way
King’s Way
Pilgrim’s Path
Pilgrim’s Path
Golden Mile
Golden Mile
The Old Town Bridge Tower was famously defended against Swedish invaders in which year during the final stages of the Thirty Years’ War?
1652
1652
1648
1648
1645
1645
1638
1638
What is the primary material from which most of the bridge’s 30 statues are carved?
Marble
Marble
Granite
Granite
Limestone
Limestone
Sandstone
Sandstone
To protect them from erosion and environmental damage, what has happened to many of the original statues on the bridge?
They were removed and replaced with modern replicas, while the originals are in museums
They were removed and replaced with modern replicas, while the originals are in museums
They were destroyed during the Second World War and never replaced
They were destroyed during the Second World War and never replaced
They are all the original 14th-century carvings
They are all the original 14th-century carvings
They are original bronzes cast in the Baroque era
They are original bronzes cast in the Baroque era
Which Bohemian king, whose personal emblem of a kingfisher appears multiple times on the Old Town Bridge Tower, oversaw its completion?
Wenceslaus IV
Wenceslaus IV
George of Poděbrady
George of Poděbrady
Charles IV
Charles IV
Sigismund of Luxembourg
Sigismund of Luxembourg
Before Charles Bridge was built, what was the name of the previous Romanesque stone bridge that was severely damaged by floods in 1342?
The Charles Wall
The Charles Wall
The Judith Bridge
The Judith Bridge
The Vltava Barrier
The Vltava Barrier
Matthias Gate
Matthias Gate
The Old Town Bridge Tower features heraldic symbols representing which two entities?
A depiction of the Bohemian lion and the Imperial eagle
A depiction of the Bohemian lion and the Imperial eagle
The coat of arms of the city of Prague
The coat of arms of the city of Prague
A relief showing the construction workers of the bridge
A relief showing the construction workers of the bridge
A carving of Charles IV holding the bridge blueprints
A carving of Charles IV holding the bridge blueprints
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