Vypich

From a military training ground to a bustling transport hub, Vypich in Prague has undergone a fascinating transformation. Vypich, a name echoing its historical use as a place of isolation or expulsion, now stands as a vital crossroads in Prague’s western landscape. Located between Břevnov and Liboc, almost touching the edge of Hvězda game preserve and Motola, Vypich is more than just an intersection. It’s a stage where history and modernity perform a captivating duet. Vypich was once a sparsely populated area outside Prague. Historical maps show isolated structures, including the Vypich estate and the numbered houses 45, 46, and 117, dotting the landscape. A large area known as “Behind the Lord’s Kennels and Rabbit Hutch” or “on Petřín” stretched towards these structures from the north. Westward towards the wall of the Hvězda game preserve, lay a vast military training ground. This space hosted military parades and, between 1955 and 1985, served as a temporary tent city for Czechoslovak People’s Army trainees during the Spartakiad events. Today, Vypich retains its open character, divided by intersecting roads and streets that trace their origins back through history. Bělohorská street, a segment of the Karlovarská radial, dominates the area, crossing paths with Na Vypichu street. This street, lined with three villas near the game preserve wall, offers a glimpse of the past. A cluster of three houses in the eastern corner reminds us of Vypich’s earlier days. Ankarská and Kukulova streets complete the network, linking Petřín, Střešovice, and Motola. This arrangement has elevated Vypich to a critical transportation hub. It serves as a convergence point for both car and public transport. Several city bus routes (180, 191) and suburban lines (902, 903), along with tram lines 22, 25, and the night line 97, intersect here. Tram line 22 and bus line 174 even terminate at Vypich. Vypich has embraced modernity, too. In 2009, the Czech Republic’s largest Kaufland hypermarket opened its doors here, prompting the addition of a new bus and tram stop near the Hvězda game preserve. A heliport now serves the nearby hospital, while high-voltage power lines, terminating at the ZÁPAD transformer station near Smíchovská Skalka, cross the area. Even beneath the surface, Vypich plays a key role: the extended metro line A (V.A), connecting Dejvická and Motol University Hospital, runs below, neighboring Ladronka Park. In June 2011, the metro tunnel at Vypich hosted an “Open Day”, the first such event in 40 years, showcasing the dynamic spirit of this evolving locale. From isolated outpost to modern hub, Vypich’s journey continues, its story interwoven with the fabric of Prague.