From a quiet village to a bustling railway hub, that’s the story of Praha-Strašnice zastávka. This unassuming spot, nestled between Stranická and U Trati streets, holds over a century of railway history. Praha-Strašnice zastávka wasn’t always here. The Emperor Franz Joseph Railway cut through Strašnice in 1871. Yet, the residents initially declined a station. They relied on the nearby Oujezd and Prague Franz Joseph stations. It wasn’t until 1898 that the village of Staré Strašnice officially requested a station.
Praha-Strašnice zastávka officially opened on May 1, 1906. This coincided with the start of double-track operations on the line. The original name was simply Strašnice. It later changed to Staré Strašnice zastávka in 1924. Finally, in 1942, it became Praha-Strašnice zastávka. The addition of “zastávka” distinguished it from the Praha-Strašnice freight yard. The station featured a pedestrian bridge, two wooden shelters with a ticket office, and restrooms. The bridge became an iconic symbol of the station.
The line initially operated on the left-hand side. After the formation of Czechoslovakia and again during the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia, there were discussions about switching to the right-hand side. However, this change didn’t happen until after World War II. On April 28, 1948, the section from Uhříněves to Vršovice switched to right-hand operation. The rest of the line followed two weeks later. This change led to significant renovations at Praha-Strašnice zastávka. These included extending the platforms and building a new signal box.
The original wooden shelters were demolished in 1987 and replaced with iron structures. These remained until the station’s closure. As part of the modernization of the line from Prague Main Station to Praha-Hostivař, Praha-Strašnice zastávka closed on December 12, 2020. Praha-Eden station opened the next day as a replacement. Praha-Zahradní Město station followed in 2021. The pedestrian bridge still stands as a testament to the station’s history. It will be preserved within the planned Vršovice Railway Promenade linear park. This four-kilometer park, set to be built between 2022 and 2024, will follow the former railway line. It will feature cycling paths and preserve other railway artifacts, keeping the railway atmosphere alive in Strašnice.