How about a canal with its own traffic lights? That is what awaits you at Berounsk\u00e1 \u010certovka. This is no ordinary waterway. It is a place of quirky charm and unexpected delights.
Welcome to Berounsk\u00e1 \u010certovka also known as the Devil’s Canal. This picturesque canal graces the western side of Prague, offering a unique glimpse into the city’s enchanting character.
The story of Berounsk\u010certovka dates back to the Middle Ages. The Knights Hospitaller created it to regulate water flow for the mills that would be built along its course. Imagine medieval engineers carefully carving this channel. Their goal was to harness the power of water.
The canal is 740 meters long. It begins near Malostranské nábřeží and flows back into the Vltava behind Charles Bridge. This creates the island of Kampa. It is also known as Little Prague Venice because some houses stand very close to the water. This is just like in Venice.
Berounsk\u010certovka was not always its name. In the 19th century it was named. Before that, it was called Strouha or Malostranská. The name probably came from a nearby house called “At the Seven Devils”.
Of the many mills that once lined Berounsk\u010certovka, three have survived. The best known is the Grand Priory Mill, also called the Maltese Mill or Stephen’s Mill. You can spot it from Charles Bridge if you look towards Prague Castle. Its wheel is now a decorative reconstruction.
Near Berounsk\u010certovka and Charles Bridge, you can see a true curiosity. It is Prague’s narrowest street. This tiny passage is so narrow that traffic lights are installed. Only one person can pass at a time. It is commonly called “the narrowest street in Prague”.
According to local boatman Zdeněk Bergman, the canal was also used for canoeing. Until the Velvet Revolution in 1989, the canoeing team of the Czech Technical University trained here.
Navigating Berounsk\u010certovka can be tricky. It requires talent and awareness. The canal offers a unique perspective of Prague. It gives a “3D” view because of Prague’s hills and towers. This is different from the “2D” views in flatter cities like Paris.
Today, Berounsk\u010certovka is a fragment of Prague. It does not belong to the city’s top tourist attractions. However it is still worth seeing.
As you stroll along Berounsk\u010certovka, listen to the gentle lapping of the water. Feel the cool mist on your face. Picture the millers of centuries past. They were hard at work harnessing the canal’s power. This charming canal offers a unique experience. It blends history, beauty, and a touch of the unexpected.