A growing line of visitors at a sculpture on Prague's historic Charles Bridge is giving the 14th-century landmark a new attraction: recreating an iconic photograph of British band Depeche Mode.
Tourists have long visited the statue of St John of Nepomuk on the bridge over the Vltava River. But many are now stopping at a nearby Pietà sculpture to pose like Depeche Mode members Dave Gahan and Martin Gore in a famous 1988 photograph.
The band first visited Prague in March 1988, when the city was part of communist Czechoslovakia, for a landmark concert. They returned in November with Dutch photographer Anton Corbijn, who photographed them around the city. The pictures were later published in his book, “Depeche Mode: Strangers.”
One black-and-white photograph showing Gahan and Gore beside the Pietà sculpture has become particularly popular among fans.
Fans have been visiting the location for years, but interest appears to have grown after photos of a large gathering on the bridge during the band's Prague concerts in 2024 circulated online. The recreation has now gained millions of views on social media.
Jorge Sanchez, from California, visited the spot with his wife after learning about the photograph.
“I remember seeing the picture from way back,” he said. “Then I looked it up and learned that it was here, so I wanted to make sure I took a picture.”
Austrian visitors Maria Hofer and Lara Hinteregger said they discovered the trend on Pinterest and TikTok.
“We just saw this on Pinterest or on TikTok, and it's kind of one of the most famous pictures you can take here in Prague,” Hofer said.
Hinteregger said they also liked Depeche Mode's music and felt it matched the atmosphere of Prague.
The nearby statue of St John Nepomuk commemorates the 14th-century priest who was tortured and killed after refusing to reveal the queen's confession. His body was thrown into the Vltava River from Charles Bridge.
Local tradition says touching the engravings on the statue's pedestal brings good luck and ensures a return to Prague.