Statue of Lutgardis

The Statue of Lutgardis occupies a place along the southern balustrade of Charles Bridge in Prague, one of around thirty Baroque sculptures that turn the medieval river crossing into an open-air gallery. Carved by Matthias Braun early in his Prague career, it shows Saint Lutgardis in a moment of mystical embrace with Christ on the cross, and it is widely regarded as one of the most dramatic compositions among the bridge's statues.

Who was Lutgardis, and what does the statue show?

Lutgardis was a Cistercian nun and mystic, remembered chiefly for a vision in which Christ leaned down from the cross to embrace her. Braun's sculpture captures that moment directly: the figure of Christ bends forward from the crucifix toward the kneeling saint, creating a diagonal, almost theatrical composition rather than the static, frontal poses used on many other bridge statues. Religious tradition also recalls that Lutgardis lost her sight later in life, an episode tied to her cult but secondary here to the central scene of the embrace.

Who carved it, and when?

The work is attributed to Matthias Braun, one of the leading sculptors of the Bohemian Baroque, who produced several of Charles Bridge's statues in the early 18th century. This piece is often singled out among his bridge commissions for the energy of its diagonal composition, a contrast to the calmer, upright figures typical of the era's devotional sculpture elsewhere on the crossing.

Where exactly is it on the bridge?

Look for it on the south side of Charles Bridge, in the row of statues facing the river toward Malá Strana. Like the rest of the collection, it stands among sandstone neighbors that together form the bridge's continuous sculptural gallery, maintained by the Prague City Gallery, the institution responsible for conservation of the entire set.

How do you get there, and is there anything to pay?

Charles Bridge is a free, pedestrian-only crossing open around the clock, and the statue can be viewed at any time without a ticket or guide. The nearest starting points are Old Town Square on the east bank and Malostranské náměstí on the west bank, both a short walk from the bridge towers; the Malostranská metro station (Line A) and nearby tram stops sit a few minutes from the western end.

When is the best time to visit?

Charles Bridge is one of Prague's busiest and most photographed spots during the day. Early morning, shortly after sunrise, or late evening once most tour groups have left, offers the clearest view of individual statues, including this one, without competing with crowds for a spot at the balustrade.

Frequently asked questions

Is this the original 18th-century statue? As with several works on the bridge, centuries of weathering and Prague's damp climate have required ongoing conservation by the Prague City Gallery, so the sculpture on view today reflects that maintenance rather than an untouched original surface.

Why is Christ shown leaning down from the cross? The pose illustrates the mystical vision associated with Lutgardis, in which Christ is said to have embraced her directly from the crucifix — the defining moment of her story and the reason the sculptor chose this dynamic composition over a static portrait.

Is there an entry fee to see the statue? No. Charles Bridge is a public pedestrian bridge, free and open at all hours.

How do I find it among the other bridge statues? It stands on the south side of the bridge; walking along that balustrade from either end brings you to it as part of the continuous row of Baroque sculptures.