Today I take you on a cruise along the Vltava, the river that runs through the city of Prague. The idea of observing the city changing the observation point I always like a lot. And if “the new position of observation” is a river I love it even more.
The choice of the boat was quite easy for us: we have “chosen” one that we liked since we saw it while walking along the Charles Bridge: small, with few places, all in wood. The ticket cost us 250 crowns each, and the cruise lasted about 60 minutes. Obviously, there are for all tastes and all prices (even those with dinner or music included in the ticket). I advise you to choose according to your feeling, depending on how much the boat “inspires you” because even the chosen vehicle plays a lot on how much the ride you will like (or not). About the timetable and the “right time” to chose, if you like photography I recommend you go in the afternoon: you will find a spectacular light.
The pier from which we left is near “Stefanikuv most“, along the road that runs along the river (pedestrian-cycle road).
While the recorded voice was beginning to tell us about the city, from a distance, I was able to spot the “giant” metronome about which I had read some information and that I wanted to see absolutely. This “metronome” is where once stood a monument to Stalin, it is so large that is also clearly visible from the river, and it is still working. You can see Its oscillations even from the bottom of a boat sailing the Vltava river!
We passed near many famous buildings of the city, including ministries, theatres and the Charles Bridge, while from a distance, in the light of early sunset, we observe the grandeur of the Cathedral of San Vito. Even in the distance, this manages to amaze everyone by now, thanks to its majesty, can be recognised by any point in Prague you are. I discovered, thanks to this tour, places and stories of the city that I had not found anywhere when, before leaving, I tried to inform myself about the city and its history.
For example, in this photo on the left, you can see a 1913 hydroelectric plant located on the island of Štvanice, the most significant island in the Vltava section “inside the city” of Prague. Another “history – curiosity” discovered during the tour is that of the only iron bridge of the entire city which, with a length of 169 meters, is also the shortest of all the bridges in Prague.
These are brief outline news, which “fill the story”: for this reason, I believe they have their importance, and I think they deserve a little attention when visiting a city (still) unknown to us. These are the news that maybe lead you to smile, for their “little importance”, stories that probably one day we will forget, but they are always lovely and exciting to listen to.
My story ends here. Now I would like to make only a final consideration before leaving you to some other photo. Every so often I’m asked: “is it worth doing these cruises?” And my answer is always the same: it depends. It depends on you and what you want and expect.
Do them, to observe the city from a different and less chaotic perspective of the streets of the centre invaded by people. Do it if you want to get a quick idea of the city and then find out more about the things that interest you the most.
Take a sunset cruise to fall in love even more with the magical light that “hugs” the city.
On the other hand, avoid cruises if it is only a way to “waste time advancing”, if you do not know what to do and, in fact, you could not care less. It would only be a big waste of money and time that you could use otherwise.