Europe
Czech Republic
Charles Bridge
Prague
Czech Republic
Built in 1357 and commissioned by Charles IV, Charles Bridge connects the Old Town and Mala Strana and crosses the river Vltava. Originally called Kamenny most or the Stone Bridge, the Gothic structure was built by architect Petr Parler who also oversaw the building of Prague Castle. Local legends say they mixed egg yolks in with the mortar to make the bridge stronger. The bridge has survived much traffic and natural threats such as floods. Today it's used as a historical landmark and a footbridge. But tourists and street merchants aren't the only ones who wander across this bridge—this site also has its share of ghosts. In the Middle Ages, when a leader executed a person, the leader wanted the world to know about it. Posting decapitated heads (and other severed body parts) on popular landmarks was common practice all over Europe. But there were 10 particular local lords who had the misfortune of having their heads stuck on poles on the Charles Bridge for years until the flesh rotted away and their skulls were picked clean by the birds. Today, these 10 lords are said to be walking the bridge—especially at night—singing sad songs and scaring those who pass by wondering who the source of the singing is. But the 10 ghosts aren't the only lore belonging to the Charles Bridge. A water goblin is said to live under the bridge, who devours the souls of those who drown from falling or jumping off the bridge.