The Charles Bridge Lamplighter; Prague

I never heard of this tradition as a kid, and I am hence pretty sure it was revived just a couple of years ago. Anyways, for one week of the year, a lamplighter walks over Charles Bridge in Prague and lights one lamp after another. Yes, this week. For those who have never visited my beautiful hometown, Prague: Charles Bridge construction was ordered by Charles IV, Holy Roman Emperor and the first King of Bohemia, in 1357. Legend has it that the medieval builders used eggs to enhance the stability of the bridge; and egg proteins were actually discovered when samples from the oldest parts of the bridge were examined in laboratories. Nevertheless, the bridge was partially torn down by floods many times. And reconstructed again and again, so it could become one of the main tourist attractions of Prague.

O téhle tradici jsem jako dítě nikdy neslyšel a předpokládám, že byla obnovena teprve nedávno. Jeden týden v roce chodí po Karlově mostě lampář a rozsvěcuje lampy, jednu po druhé. Any, ten týden je právě teď. Karlův most asi nemusím našincům představovat, stejně jako legendu o vejcích, která prý jeho stavitelé využili. Takže si pojďme užít staronovou tradici.

4 pm; the show is about to start. A view from Křižovnické square of the bridge and the Vltava river with Prague Castle in the back.

Je 16:00 a představení každou chvíli začne. Na fotce je výhled z Křižovnického náměstí na most a Vltavu, v pozadí Pražský hrad.

The first lamp is being lit. The lamplighter wears a historical costume of his guild. Alas, I couldn’t find any further information about the outfit.

Zapalování první lampy. Lampař má prý na sobě historický kostým lampařského cechu. Ale bohužel se mi o něm nepodařilo zjistit další podrobnosti.

4:15; the lamplighter enters the bridge. He’s a really tall guy, I am sure he could reach some of the lamps even without the stick.

O patnáct minut později vchází lampař na most. Je opravdu vysoký, na některé lampy by určitě dosáhl i bez své hole.

We’re not British or German, so we take things easy. The lamplighter is willing to chitchat with anybody or pose for pictures. He's able to speak a bit several languages, I overheard English, German, Russian and French. And, most notably, he lets children to help him with lighting the lamps. He calls forward a bunch of kids at almost any stop he makes.

A protože Češi nejsou jako Britové nebo Němci, neděláme z toho žádný obřad. Lampař si je ochotný popovídat s lidmi kolem sebe a pózuje fotografům. Zvládá základy několika jazyků, zaslechl jsem ho mluvit trošku anglicky, německy, rusky a francouzsky. A hlavně nechává děti, aby mu se zapalováním lamp pomáhaly. Na skoro každém zastavení si jich několik zavolá. Takže @krakonos a další rodiče tohle můžou brát jako zajímavý tip, letos by měl lampař zapalovat mostecké lampy ještě pětkrát nebo šestkrát.

The lamps on the left are already lit, the right ones remain dark.

Lampy nalevo už hoří, ty napravo zatím na zapálení čekají.

Prague Castle and a lamp.

Pražský hrad a lampa.

Let there be light! The lamplighter's path takes over an hour; I skipped the way back and went to Lesser Town through the gate you see on this picture.

Budiž světlo! Celá cesta lampáře trvá přes hodinu. Já tu část zpátky na Staré Město vynechal a prošel Malostranskou branou, kterou vidíte na fotce.

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Thanks for curating my post, @ybanezkim26!

You're welcome!

Vyzerá to byť parádna atrakcia. Ale asi to musia mať aj nejak časovo/diaľkovo zosynchronizované... lebo pochybujem, že sa ešte nenašla banda chuligánov, ktorí by to z recesie pozapínali pár minút predtým, ako tam ten lampár príde :D
!WINE

Děje se to jen teď v prosinci. A očividně nenašla, ne každému to myslí stejným způsobem, jako tobě ;)


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Prague has known to be a beautiful a city. Even though I haven't for once visit their but I hope to do that one day if possible. Love those lightning. It really makes the pictures looks so stunning. Thanks for sharing and have a wonderful day.

I’ve been recently on a business trip and we did have time to visit the bridge. I loved it there. Vowed to go back next time for a leisurely trip with my family and have more time to meander and explore.

Lovely post! Thanks for sharing this! I just visited Prague myself, first time. And I loved the city! ❤

I loved this place when I visited Prague. Always nice to hear the small stories and traditions associated with historic places. 👍

What a beautiful tradition that of the lamplighter 🤗. The photos are very nice, my friend. Thanks for sharing! Greetings, @godfish 🙌.

Well, clearly Prague is calling me!! It’s a beautiful city and a very magical place!! I love the picture with the Prague castle and the lamp!! It’s stunning!!

Beautiful photos!

This place and clicks👏😮😊

Have FUN playing Hive Lotto !LOL

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