Which European capital is on the River Vltava?
Quick answer
Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic (Czechia), sits on the River Vltava. The Vltava is the longest river entirely within the country, about 430 km (270 mi) long, and flows north into the Elbe. In Prague, it’s crossed by the famous Charles Bridge, built from 1357.
The Vltava in Prague
The river curves through the city, dividing the Old Town on the east bank from Prague Castle and the Lesser Town (Malá Strana) on the west. About 18 bridges cross it in the city.
The Charles Bridge
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Construction began | 1357, under King and Emperor Charles IV |
| Length | About 516 m |
| Statues | 30 baroque statues of saints, most now replicas |
| Famous statue | St. John of Nepomuk, thrown from the bridge in 1393; touching the plaque is said to bring luck |
A popular legend says builders mixed egg yolks into the mortar to strengthen it.
The Vltava in music
Czech composer Bedřich Smetana wrote a famous orchestral piece called Vltava (known in German as Die Moldau) in 1874. Part of his cycle Má vlast (“My Homeland”), it follows the river from two small springs through forests and past castles to Prague.
Other capitals on famous rivers
| Capital | River |
|---|---|
| Prague | Vltava |
| Budapest, Vienna, Bratislava, Belgrade | Danube; see the longest river in Europe |
| Paris | Seine |
| London | Thames |
| Rome | Tiber |
| Berlin | Spree |
| Warsaw | Vistula |
Prague highlights
- Prague Castle, often listed as the largest ancient castle complex in the world
- The Astronomical Clock, installed in 1410, one of the oldest still working
- The historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site
For another famous historic bridge, see where the Ponte Vecchio is. For another central European capital, see which country has the capital Ljubljana.
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