Malá Chuchle

In 1132, a dramatic event unfolded in Malá Chuchle. A Vyšehrad canon recorded the tale of Bishop Menhart’s narrow escape from a massive falling rock. This small suburb of Prague, nestled on the Vltava River’s left bank, has a history as intriguing as its name. Malá Chuchle, meaning “small tuft” or “small cluster”, likely refers to a nearby hill and was later applied to the settlement. Some whimsical theories link the name to monks’ cowls, but the hilltop origin seems more likely. Malá Chuchle wasn’t always part of Prague. It was originally linked with Velká Chuchle, its larger neighbor. In 1922, Malá Chuchle, with its 1,806 residents and 126 houses, separated from Velká Chuchle and joined Prague as part of Prague XVI. A famous photograph captures President Masaryk’s visit to both Chuchles shortly after, showcasing him and his entourage posing beneath the Barrandov Rock. This charming suburb boasts a baroque Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary, built in 1774 upon the site of an older church. The area also housed the Chuchle Spa, a local favorite. A stone chapel perched above the village marks the source of the Mariánsko-Lázeňský stream. Malá Chuchle even had a sugar factory, operating within a former mill. Though now gone, the Chuchle railway station, active until 1940, and the “Na Vyskočilce” inn were once vital parts of local life. Malá Chuchle’s journey from a small village mentioned in a dramatic 12th-century tale to a charming Prague suburb is a testament to its enduring spirit. Its rich history, nestled amongst the picturesque landscape along the Vltava, offers a glimpse into Prague’s diverse and captivating past.