In the Advent season, the Charles Bridge in Prague comes alive with history. Each day, a lantern lighter in traditional uniform ignites the bridge’s gas lamps – a ritual that allows visitors to step back in time.
In the weeks leading up to Christmas, the Charles Bridge becomes a special place where history is brought to life. From last Sunday until 23 December 2025, residents and visitors of the city have the chance to witness the nearly forgotten tradition of lighting gas lamps on Prague’s most famous bridge.
Daily from 4:00 pm, a lantern lighter in historical uniform uses an original lantern pole from the late 19th century to light 46 gas lamps by hand. The lighting rod comes from the collection of the Prague Gas Museum (Plynárenské muzeum).
The ceremony follows tradition: beginning at Křižovnické náměstí (Crusader Square) in front of the Church of St Francis of Assisi, the lantern lighter moves along the right-hand side of the bridge towards Malá Strana (Lesser Town). At the end of the bridge, near the Lesser Town Bridge Tower, he turns and lights the lamps on the opposite side back towards the Old Town.
Gas lighting in Prague has a long history: it was introduced in 1847 with the opening of the Karlín gasworks, reached its peak in 1940, and gradually declined with the electrification of street lighting. In the early 21st century, it made a comeback: since late 2010, gas lamps have once again illuminated the Charles Bridge. It is thus the only bridge worldwide still lit by gas – and the only one to employ its own lantern lighter.
Today, the gas lamps not only contribute to the historical atmosphere but also illuminate the entire Royal Route, a popular tourist trail from the Powder Tower (Prašná brána) to Hradčanské náměstí. Anyone spending Advent in Prague should not miss the traditional ritual of lighting the gas lamps on the Charles Bridge.
