In the first episode of our series we introduced you to 10 boats built to order directly for Prague.
Today, in our 2nd episode of the series on passenger boats sailing in Prague on the Vltava, we will focus only on those vessels which were built by skilful Czech hands in Czech shipyards.
1. Vysehrad steamer
The large paddle Vysehrad steamer is the oldest historic steamer. In order it is the fourth bearer of this name in the history of Prague steam navigation. It was built in 1938 by the Usti shipyard as a vessel intended for passenger transport. At first it bore the name Antonin Svehla, later T.G. Masaryk or Devin and only since 1952 was it called Vysehrad.
To this day it has gone through 3 reconstructions; the last one in 1992 helped restore its original character. Since 2013 it has been a cultural monument. The Vysehrad steamer has an air-conditioned main lounge, a lower lounge and an open sunny deck, a restaurant, cafe, wine bar and bar. The steamer's capacity is 350 persons, of which 200 can be seated indoors and 150 on the viewing deck. It is 62 metres long and 6 metres wide and is still the largest boat in Prague overall. The original steam engine reaches an output of 165 kW (220 hp).
2. Vltava steamer
The second historic paddle steamer that still sails on the Vltava in Prague is the Vltava steamer. It was built in 1940 in the Liben shipyard Praga as a smaller and, for Vltava operations, more practical steamer. Initially it was deployed on the express line Prague-Stechovice until 1945. It then sailed on regular lines and today we can see it on sightseeing cruises to Slapy, to Melnik or special cruises to the Prague Zoo.
The Vltava steamer was also reconstructed several times. The last reconstruction in 2009 restored its original character. In 2013 it was declared a cultural monument. The steamer has its own restaurant, cafe, wine bar, bar, lounge and an open viewing deck. It is 53 m long and 5 m wide. The capacity of the steamer is 250 persons, of which 100 indoors and 150 on the open deck. The output of the steam engine is 112.5 kW (150 hp).
3. Sumava boat
The Sumava boat sailed out of the dock of the Liben shipyard Praga in 1951 as a stern paddle motor tugboat. In 1991 it was bought by the EVD company and converted into a passenger motor boat. Later it underwent a complete renovation and modernisation, thanks to which it is today fully sound-equipped and suitable for year-round operation.
Sumava is one of the largest boats in Prague and also has the largest boat lounge. Its capacity is 190 persons inside the boat and 200 persons on the sunny deck. The boat hosts larger private events, company parties, conferences, but it also sails on sightseeing cruises. Sumava offers complete gastronomic service, buffet tables or the option of grilling on the upper open deck.
4. Tyrs boat
The Tyrs boat, which we can see today in the centre of Prague, was built by the Melnik shipyard and first set sail on 5 June 1958. Originally the boat was called Lipno and it was a stern paddle motor tugboat. In 1992 this Lipno tugboat was rebuilt by the Brnak shipping company into a passenger boat and at the same time renamed Tyrs. Subsequently, between 1992 and 1993 it sailed on the Decin-Hrensko route.
In 1994 the Tyrs boat was bought and to this day it is operated in Prague on the Vltava on sightseeing cruises. The capacity of the boat is 296 persons, of whom 176 are seated on the covered deck. The boat also has a restaurant and a bar.
5. Petra boat
The Petra boat was built around 56 years ago in the Liben shipyard as a tow boat. And as a tow boat it was also brought in 2014 from Kralupy nad Vltavou to Prague. A small tugboat towed it on a rope to the embankment at Rasin Embankment, where it also docked. The Petra boat used to serve to transport malt to Western European breweries and on its way back carried coffee, tea or cocoa beans for the Modrany Orionka.
This purpose was also the inspiration for its current use, when on its renovated upper deck the first floating farmers' market was placed. Cultural events are also held on this farmers' boat and its use will continue to expand in the future.
6. Gladius
The Gladius boat comes from the shipyard of the Brno City Transport Company on the Brno (Kninicska) reservoir. It was made in 1956 and from 1957 it was deployed on regular lines on the Slapy reservoir. Its original name was Druzba. In 1961 it began regular service on the Orlik reservoir.
In 1992 it was bought, renovated and rebuilt into a restaurant excursion boat. Since then it bears the name Gladius. Its capacity is 50 persons.
