Mlýnská strouha

Gazing upon Mlýnská strouha, can you envision a bustling waterway where a mill once stood? Today, this tranquil park with its artificial pond whispers tales of Pilsen’s past. Mlýnská strouha, affectionately dubbed “Pilsen’s Venice,” was once a vital offshoot of the Radbuza River. It branched off near the present-day Museum of West Bohemia, flowing north between the historic city center and the Prague Suburb. Imagine the scene: a wooden Royal Bridge spanning the waterway, leading to the heart of Pilsen. Further down, the Red Bridge extended Zbrojnická Street, connecting the two sides of this thriving waterway. The mill stream served several crucial functions. It powered the city’s soukenický (cloth) mill and, along with a waterworks on Pražská Street, supplied water to the city. Picture the activity along its banks: the clatter of the mill, the flow of water, and the everyday bustle of city life. The area was even straightened and named Šafaříkovy sady in 1862, before the mill’s demise. Sadly, in the 1920s, progress came at a cost. Mlýnská strouha was filled in to bolster the Radbuza River’s flow for a new hydroelectric plant. This decision sparked outrage among preservationists, but their pleas went unanswered. The area was transformed into a park, a tranquil green space within the city’s ring gardens. The stone arches of Prague Bridge, partially buried, remain as a poignant reminder of what once was. Mlýnská strouha faced further challenges: the installation of hot water pipes in the 1970s and the construction of Tyršova Street in 1980. These intrusions disrupted the park’s connection to Štruncovy sady, marring its tranquility. Thankfully, the story doesn’t end there. Between 2008 and 2010, Mlýnská strouha underwent a remarkable revitalization. The artificial pond now evokes the original waterway. Footpaths, paved with reclaimed granite from Pilsen’s streets, invite you to explore. Interactive sculptures, representing a mother sorceress, a daughter bird, and a son fish, add a touch of whimsy. Even a bust of composer Václav Trojan graces the area. This reborn Mlýnská strouha, a testament to Pilsen’s rich history, was deservedly named Park of the Year in 2010.