Heralding the entrance to the Charles Bridge, and guarding any approach from either side is the blackened and aged looking Bridge Tower. It is part of the old fortification system in Prague, like the Powder Tower this gothic looking structure peaked with a tiled roof offers a good bird-eye view of the Charles Bridge, Vltava River, Prague Castle and Old Town. It was partially damaged from the failed attempt by the marauding Swedes to occupy the Old Town in 1648, but Sculptures by Peter Parler (whose genius can be seen especially in the choir of St Vitus Cathedral) survive.