The bridge we can see today was built in the 13th century by Peter Parler, King Charles IV favourite architect; originally it was mainly for the use of knight tournaments. For many years the only decoration on the bridge was that a crucifix. During 1600 and 1800 the Catholics desire for decoration resulted in the erection of 30 statues. Now most of the statues are copies due to different disasters happening over the years. Altogether there now stands 75 statues, the oldest one being of John of Nepomuk who was the King Wencelas IV priest.

Today it is a very busy tourist attraction, with many stalls and entertainers lining the bridge, and is the main pedestrian link from Old Town to Mala Strana.

Ten lords who were executed in the middle ages were beheaded and their heads were put on poles and displayed at the bridge, these lords are said to haunt the bridge, also it is reported that a goblin lives under the bridge and he collects the souls of the dead who have died from drowning after throwing themselves from the bridge.