Karl's Bridge: Reconstruction Revealed Original Masonry

Prague - During the reconstruction of Charles Bridge, a section of masonry dating back to the 14th century was uncovered during the excavation of sewage channels. An expert committee has decided to halt construction work, and archaeologists will take over from Friday, reported Zdeněk Dragoun, head of the Archaeological Department of the National Heritage Institute to ČTK.
The masonry was uncovered by construction workers while digging trenches for the sewage system on the Malá Strana side of the Vltava River. "The find is in the space between the bridge towers and the current start of the bridge," described Dragoun. According to today’s decision by the expert committee, which opted for its preservation, construction workers will step aside for archaeologists starting Friday. In the coming days, the excavation will be expanded to better expose the masonry from the outside and determine its age.
According to Dragoun, the find was part of the bridge and likely served as a pathway leading citizens from the Malá Strana towers, between which a gate originally stood, directly onto the bridge. Dragoun also does not rule out that there may be another arch buried between the towers and the first pillar inside the bridge. However, these details should be revealed by subsequent research.
The long-planned repair of Charles Bridge began on August 20. The reconstruction is divided into two phases: the first will end in June 2010, and the second could last up to ten years. Throughout the work, the bridge will remain accessible to the public.