About the Vltava River
People in Bohemia perceive the Vltava River as an essential national symbol. It forms the imaginary axis of the country, is the subject of legends, the scene of historical events, and connects historical settlements, castles and chateaux. It acts as a landscape phenomenon, a real waterway and an economic and energy source. It is a cult place for boaters, tramps and water sports. It is an inexhaustible inspiration for artists, a source of admiration and national pride.
Podcast VLTAVA Famed & Flowing
A special edition of the National Heritage Institute’s podcast brings you, in each episode, a closer look at one of the topics connected to the project VLTAVA Famed & Flowing
Interviews
"Wild Water"
The name of our most famous river is a corruption of the original name Wilt Ahwa (Wilbahwa), which means wild or raging water in the language of the ancient Germanic tribes.
The best of the Vltava River
The Vltava is the longest river in the Czech Republic, measuring an impressive 430.2 km.
The largest dam on the Vltava River in terms of area and the largest body of water in the Czech Republic is the Lipno dam.
The Orlík dam is the first in the volume of water retained and is the largest water reservoir in the Czech Republic.
The saddest flood of modern times is the one in 2002, when more than 5000 m³/s flowed through Prague and the water level reached 785 cm.
The Žďákov Bridge spans the Orlice Dam and was the largest double-arched steel arch bridge in the world at the time of its construction in 1967.
Vltava Cascade
The Vltava Cascade is a unique water management work consisting of a system of nine water works on the Vltava River.
It consists of the following reservoirs: Lipno I, Lipno II, Hněvkovice, Kořensko, Orlík, Kamýk, Slapy, Štechovice and Vrané.
The whole system fulfils several important functions - mainly the production of electricity in hydroelectric power plants, flood protection, ensuring the navigability of the river for shipping and, last but not least, recreational use.
Vltava Monuments
The Vltava River is lined with many important monuments that testify to the rich history of this important waterway.
From south to north, we can admire historical gems such as the UNESCO-listed town of Český Krumlov, the majestic Hluboká nad Vltavou Chateau or the ancient Zlatá Koruna Monastery.
In Central Bohemia, the monumental castles of Zvíkov and Orlík tower over the river, while in Prague the river flows through the historic centre of the city, where it is spanned by the world-famous Charles Bridge.
There are also interesting technical monuments - dams, historic locks, spillways and old hydroelectric power stations, which remind us of the importance of the river for the economic development of the country.
