Hello Prague: The Certovka Canal
The Certovka Canal or Certovka Channel, take your pick, is just one little picturesque spot in the big picturesque picture of the city of Prague, in the Czech Republic. Prague took by breath away with practically every step, and given that I happen to be a little hard to please when it comes to visual stimulation, well that says a lot. Prague may not be for everyone, but I can’t stop raving about it, even a year after our trip! This sweet little canal is something I would love to explore more when I hopefully make it back to Prague, and at that point I would like to take a little boat cruise down the canal. Simply said, there is sooooo much to see in Prague, and even a week is not nearly enough, so we didn’t even have time for a little walk on the manmade island of Kampa, whose construction formed this canal, let alone a boat ride……These photos were taken from the end of the Charles Bridge, which passes over the canal, come let’s take a closer look!
The Certovka canal (Devil’s Canal), is situated in the Lesser Quarter (Malá Strana). The Čertovka takes its water from the Vltava and after a course of 740 m it flows back into the river. There are several medieval mills along its course, and the canal was built in the 12th century by the Order of the Knights of Malta, who added a portion of land to the right and created an island called Kampa.
The purpose of the canal was to provide regulated water flow for the mills that would be built along its course. Three of those watermills have survived to this day, the most well known of them is the Grand Priory Mill (Velkopřevorský mlýn). It is visible from Charles Bridge; on the left side – if you’re going towards Prague Castle.
The Grand Priory Mill doesn’t serve its original purpose anymore. Its wheel is a reconstruction and its function is purely decorative, nonetheless the reference to its history is certainly relevant. The building has been the seat of several Czech companies in the recent history.
Picture perfect, right? I think this is a great inspiration for a little sketchbook entry or a semi abstract flower painting?
Ah, the canal looks so much lovelier with the addition of just one little boat!
Looking down from the Charles Bridge. Gotta get there myself someday.
And the exact spot on the right, where woman with blue sweatshirt is taking a photo, where I stood to take these photos. What I was here? It still seems to me like a dream! And that my friends is Prague!
Stay tuned for many more tales of Prague, I’ll be splitting up the posts over the next month or so, as there is so much to share!
