Fri. Oct 11th, 2024

“Under the thinning fog the surf curled and creamed, almost without sound, like a thought trying to form inself on the edge of consciousness.” – Raymond Chandler, from The Big Sleep

If there would be one scene that defines Prague for me, it is the serpentine Vltava River winding through the city. Bridges cross the river at regular intervals, artistic in their arches, their Gothic architecture, and their spacing. Vintage red trams cross several bridges, along with cars and trucks and buses. But one bridge in Prague is completely special: the Charles Bridge.

Charles Bridge, Always Mysterious

Today, only pedestrians cross the bridge, which was constructed in 1357 under the rule of King Charles IV. Three tall towers have guarded the Charles Bridge for centuries, and 30 haunting statues gaze over pedestrians as they cross. Darkened with time and elements, the statues were added to the bridge around 1700 in Baroque style, and to me, always feel as though they are watching. The mystery, legends, and history–the feel of standing still in time there–make Charles Bridge my favorite place to be in Prague.

I love photographs I’ve seen of the Charles Bridge shrouded in fog, orange in the rising sun. Many many many times I’ve ventured down the Charles Bridge on a foggy morning hoping to catch my own photograph of the incredible scene. Every time, I’ve missed it. The fog is gone, fleeing by the time I arrive.

But this past Friday, I woke up to a blanket of fog. And this time when I ventured down to Mala Strana it was different: the fog stayed. The sun rose, orange, glowing. Swans flew overhead. Crowds were thin. And the fog rolled over the Vltava River in curls and swirls of mystery. It was a dream, stunning and unforgettable. I’m excited to be able to share a few photographs here with you.

Prague’s Charles Bridge in Fog

Prague’s Charles Bridge

the view South of Charles Bridge, Prague

Fog along Prague’s Charles Bridge

a swan flying over Charles Bridge, fog, and sunris

Shifting Fog and Light: Man Fishing in the Vltava River beside Charles Bridge

For you: Do you remember seeing the first Mission Impossible, with the opening scene in the fog? That was the Charles Bridge in Prague! What do you think about Prague and its mysterious fog?