Do you know what kind of river flows in Prague?

Prague is the heart of Europe. This city is struck by a huge number of architectural monuments - fortresses, Gothic palaces and ancient buildings. If you do not know which river in Prague is considered its most important waterway, then this article is for you. The Czech capital stretches along both banks of the picturesque Vltava River. As a tribute, the southern tribes began to settle in this region precisely because they felt the incredible energy that came from the waters. From the Old German language the name of Vltava is translated as "wild (fierce) river". The first mention of the reservoir can be found in the chronicles of 872 years.

general information

This river in Prague is considered one of the main attractions. Vltava is a navigable river, along which steamships and cargo ships ply . Hundreds of tourists every day go on a sightseeing tour along the river. By the way, this reservoir is considered to be the longest river in the Czech Republic. The Vltava flows from the south to the north. It flows into the Elbe, which crosses Germany and reaches the North Sea. Its length is 446 km.

The river in Prague plays the role of a kind of border that divides the city into the western and eastern parts. Vltava flows through the most beautiful historical part of the Czech capital. In addition to Prague, on this river there are two more cities - Cesky Krumlov and Ceske Budejovice.

The shortest distance between its shores is 40 meters, and the largest is 330 meters (near Sitkovskaya dam in the center of the capital). The flow within the capital is quite smooth and calm.

Under the dam formed an island, which is called the Slovenian. Next to it is located one more - Streletsky. In total there are 10 islands on the Vltava. This majestic river in Prague has 10 streams from the left bank and 14 from the right.

History of the river

Many centuries of the Vltava for the Czechs are not just a river, but a national treasure. Her presence had the best effect on the development of the capital and the country as a whole. A couple of times this river came out of the banks, they say that a fairly strong flood here was observed in the XV century. In 2002 Vltava once again left the coast. This flood has become the most devastating in the past 500 years. As a result of the disaster, the Prague underground and a significant part of the city center suffered.

Bridges of the Vltava

In the 12th century, the first stone bridge , called Judith, was built, it was 500 meters long and 7 meters wide. In the 14th century it was replaced and renamed Karlov. This structure is crowned with 30 unique sculptural groups and statues.

The highest is Nussel Bridge. Its length is 485 meters, and the height is 40 meters. It connects two Prague hills and looks as if curled over a ravine. A very beautiful railway structure is the Karlinsky viaduct, which was built in 1850. It consists of 85 arches, and its length is more than a kilometer. In general there are about 15 bridges on the river.

The most picturesque places

Now you know what the river in Prague is called, but certainly not yet aware of where is the most enchanting place on this pond. It is believed that the most beautiful part of the Vltava is its sleeve, which is called the Devil. It separates the island of Kampa from the historical part of Prague - Small Town, which is on the left bank of the river. In past times, water from this tributary was used in burgher houses, palaces and factories.

You can also admire the wooden giant wheel of one of the old factories of the city, which is surrounded by other strange historical buildings. This place is also called Prague of Venice.

Vltava gives the city an extraordinary charm and romance. The beautiful river of Prague connected the destinies of the people and the country with the centuries-old history of the Czech Republic.