Did you know Horní Měcholupy’s name likely comes from “měchy” travel bags carried by robbers? That’s a clever origin story for this Prague district isn’t it? We are standing before Horní Měcholupy a place steeped in history and transformation.
Horní Měcholupy a formerly small village has evolved significantly. It was first mentioned in 1353 as Mecholup Minor. This means Little Měcholupy. There were also Lower Měcholupy. They existed together with Petrovice. These three formed a single municipality in 1850. They later became separate entities around 1867 though some sources say 1920 for Horní Měcholupy.
Imagine this: In 1845 Horní Měcholupy had only 16 houses with just 79 residents. By 1900 the population grew to 213 living in 27 houses. This rural area had a blacksmith as early as 1567. A local volunteer fire brigade was established in 1899. The village center was located between Ravennská and Boloňská streets. A manor house stood near the current cultural center. It resembled a small castle in Neo-Gothic style.
The construction of the Horní Měcholupy-Petrovice airport in 1978 dramatically changed the landscape. The original village core almost disappeared. New terraced houses replaced the old farmhouses. The population exploded from 799 in 1980 to 10124 in 1991. The huge cylindrical gasometer of the Měcholupy gasworks a significant landmark for decades was decommissioned in 1981. The streets in the newer housing developments were named after towns in western Bohemia and Northern Italian cities.
Today Horní Měcholupy is a bustling Prague district. It’s part of Prague 15. It’s connected to Dolní Měcholupy by a bridge. A train line has served the area since 1871. The Horní Měcholupy train stop opened in 1926. Bus service started in 1931. It connected Horní Měcholupy to Prague’s center via a route devised by Vodenka a Velké Popovice entrepreneur.
So next time you’re in Prague remember Horní Měcholupy. It is a testament to growth and change. It’s a fascinating blend of rural past and modern urban life. It has quite a story to tell. A story that continues to unfold. It’s a reminder that even the quietest of beginnings can lead to vibrant futures.