Vanished Podskalí – Rafts and Boats on the Vltava

The exhibition in the Podskalí Custom House, is installed in a unique 16th century Renaissance building with a log cabin style first floor.

The Podskalí Custom House is the last reminder of the old Podskalí settlement situated on the Vltava riverbank that has changed beyond recognition. In the late 19th and early 20th century, its houses, typical board fences, and raft ports were replaced with a modern housing development.

Fortunately, the lives of raftsmen, timber merchants, sand miners, ice diggers and other "people of the river" have survived in many photographs, drawings, and tools used by the Podskalí artisans that will be on display.

The exhibition will also feature the changes in transportation on the Vltava river near Prague – visitors will be able to see the traditional timber rafting and the development of ship transportation in historical pictures and through the modern technology presentation. Furthermore, they can also try out a mechanic and electronic simulator to raft through the legendary St John's Rapids which raftsmen had to overcome for centuries when floating timber to Prague.