Vltava river

The length of the course of the Vltava River running through Prague is approximately 31 km. A lot of picturesque spots are scattered along the Vltava River.

The Vltava is the longest river in the Czech Republic, draining into the north from its source in Šumava through Český Krumlov, České Budějovice, and Prague, merging with the Elbe (Labe) at Mělník. It is 430 kilometers long and drains about 28,000 square kilometers. One of the pieces from the classical Czech composer Bedřich Smetana's set of six symphonic poems, Má Vlast, is called Vltava and is an evocation of the course the river takes.

The length of the course of the Vltava River running through Prague is approximately 31 km. The shortest distance between its banks is 40 m, the riverbed is the widest by the Sitkovsky weir (330 m) in the town centre. Under the weir,alluvial deposits gave existence to an island in the 18 th century, today called the Slavonic Island (Slovansky ostrov), which is accessible via a small bridge opposite the National Theatre.

Not far from this island,another island - Sharpshooters´ Island (Strelecky ostrov) is situated. On the Vltava River in Prague, there is in total ten different islands. On the territory of the capital, nine brooks flow into the Vltava River from the left side and fourteen from the right side.

At the places of ancient fords, bridges were constructed. The main ford used to connect the town´s banks as early as in the 9 th century. In the middle of the 10 th century, it was replaced by a wooden bridge that was destroyed by floodwater; at the beginning of the 12 th century, the first stone bridge - Judith Bridge - was built which was over 500 m long and 7 m wide.

In the middle of the 14 th century, it was superseded by a so-called Stone Bridge, later named Charles Bridge. The simple beauty of this bridge is enhanced by 30 statues and sculptural groups by the most renowned sculptors and the Charles Bridge, together with the most beautiful panorama of the town, is admired by hundreds of thousands of visitors every year.

In 1865, regular steam navigation on the Vltava River started up. Since the Vltava River runs through the most precious historical part of the town, visitors can use nine jetties where they can get on for a shorter or longer cruise during which explanation is provided by the guide or snack served, or just for an outing tour, trip to the ZOO etc.
A lot of picturesque spots are scattered along the Vltava River.

One of the most charming places is an arm of the Vltava River called Certovka that separates the Kampa Island from one of the town´s historical parts - the Lesser Town - situated on the river´s left bank. In the past, the water from the Certovka River used to drive mills and ran along palaces and burgher´s houses. A giant wooden wheel of an old mill is until present the highlight of a picturesque group of old buildings called Prague Venice.

No trip to Prague would be complete without a cruise on the Vltava. Seeing Prague from the river is a unique experience. The historical center with its famous monuments presents itself from a different perspective and unusual angles. You will go by several islands on the Vltava and find yourself on a stretch of the river that lets you see a part of the embankment that you would not normally visit. In a matter of an hour,

you will leave the bustling city behind and come out to some of Prague's quieter areas. Even today the view of the town from the deck of a boat has its magic. A trip along the Vltava River is a romantic experience and a pleasant form of entertainment, which provides visitors of Prague a completely different view of the city.