Flowing quietly beneath our feet is Malá Rokytka. This small stream tells a tale of Prague’s changing landscapes. Let’s uncover its story.
Malá Rokytka is not a major river. It is a modest stream. Its journey is approximately two kilometers. The stream’s basin covers about 2.7 square kilometers.
Malá Rokytka begins near the train station in Malešice. It merges with the Rokytka River in Hrdlořezy. It flows from the left into Rokytka. The stream passes through Malešice and Hrdlořezy. These are cadastral areas of Prague.
The Rokytka River itself is much longer. It stretches 37.5 kilometers. Its name comes from the Old Slavic word for willow “rokyta”. Willows still line its banks today. Rokytka is the longest stream in Prague. It measures 31.5 km within the city.
Centuries ago the area around Rokytka looked quite different. Vineyards thrived in Libeň and Vysočany. People visited the countryside for recreation. But the 19th and 20th centuries brought major changes. Factories producing cement and spirits emerged.
The waterpower of Rokytka powered mills. Löwit’s Mill stood near Rokytka’s mouth in Libeň. Other mills included Kejř’s Mill in Hloubětín, Kyje Mill, and Počernice Mill. Today industrial areas are replaced by housing and sports complexes.
In the early 1900s Rokytka underwent significant regulation. From 1905 to 1910 workers straightened, deepened, and reinforced its channel. This happened from Libeň to Hloubětín. Interestingly Italian laborers known as “barabové” were hired for this work. Further regulations occurred in the 1970s.
Prague’s environmental protection department aims to restore Rokytka. They want to bring it back to a more natural state. They also seek funding from the European Union.
A notable feature along Rokytka is the Zenklova Street arch bridge. This bridge is a protected technical monument. It was built in 1896 by Antonín Los. In 1909 it was expanded to 99.3 meters wide. It is the oldest concrete road bridge in Bohemia. Today it supports both road and tram traffic.
Rokytka flows into a branch of the Vltava River near Libeň. There lies Thomayer Gardens. Flood control measures were put in place after the 2002 floods.
Malá Rokytka is a small part of this larger story. It is a reminder of Prague’s evolving relationship with nature. The average flow at the mouth of Rokytka is 0.39 cubic meters per second. This little stream has witnessed centuries of Prague’s history.