Prague, December 18 (CTK)

A new museum - the Charles Bridge museum - will soon open in Prague to acquaint visitors with the history of one of the greatest architectural monuments in Prague, Zdenek Bergman, the initiator of the project, told CTK today.

The opening of the museum that will be located on the premises of the St Cross Monastery in direct proximity of the bridge is planned for mid-June, 2007, Bergman said.

The museum will acquaint visitors with the construction of the bridge, its historic forms and provide the detailed information about its statues and groups of statues that date mostly from the 18th century.

The museum will use all available authentical exhibits, copies of medieval building machines along with modern construction means such as interactive screens, Bergman said.

People will also be able to learn about Charles Bridge´s predecessor, Judith Bridge, that connected both banks of the Vltava River in its close proximity.

Judith Bridge, the first Prague stone bridge that is now almost forgotten, was built in the first half of the 12th century and collapsed in a flood in 1342.

The Bergman society that operates boat sightseeing journeys near Charles Bridge has rented a 500-square metre area on the premises of the monastery.

"We are expecting a nationwide discussion that will bring proposals concerning the contents and the concept of the museum," Bergman said.

Charles Bridge is a stone Gothic bridge that connects the Old Town and Lesser Town. It was acually called the Stone Bridge at first.

Its construction was commissioned by Czech king and Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV and began in 1357.

Unlike its predecessor, Charles Bridge has survived many floods, most recently in August 2002 when the country experience the worst flood in the past 500 years.

The bridge now faces general reconstruction that is to start next year. The reconstruction costs in the first phase are estimated at more than 100 million crowns.