In the first episode of our series we introduced you to 10 barcos built to order directly for Praga.
Today, in our 2nd episode of the series on passenger barcos sailing in Praga on the Moldava, we will focus only on those vessels which were built by skilful Checo hands in Checo shipyards.
1. Vysehrad vapor
The large paddle Vysehrad vapor is the oldest historic vapor. In order it is the fourth bearer of this name in the history of Praga 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 y 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 vapor has an air-conditioned main lounge, a lower lounge y an open sunny deck, a restaurant, cafe, wine bar y bar. The vapor's capacity is 350 persons, of which 200 can be seated indoors y 150 on the viewing deck. It is 62 metres long y 6 metres wide y is still the largest barco in Praga overall. The original steam engine reaches an output of 165 kW (220 hp).
2. Moldava vapor
The second historic paddle vapor that still sails on the Moldava in Praga is the Moldava vapor. It was built in 1940 in the Liben shipyard Praga as a smaller and, for Moldava operations, more practical vapor. Initially it was deployed on the express line Praga-Stechovice until 1945. It then sailed on regular lines y today we can see it on sightseeing cruceros to Slapy, to Melnik or special cruceros to the Praga Zoo.
The Moldava vapor was also reconstructed several times. The last reconstruction in 2009 restored its original character. In 2013 it was declared a cultural monument. The vapor has its own restaurant, cafe, wine bar, bar, lounge y an open viewing deck. It is 53 m long y 5 m wide. The capacity of the vapor is 250 persons, of which 100 indoors y 150 on the open deck. The output of the steam engine is 112.5 kW (150 hp).
3. Sumava barco
The Sumava barco 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 y converted into a passenger motor barco. Later it underwent a complete renovation y modernisation, thanks to which it is today fully sound-equipped y suitable for year-round operation.
Sumava is one of the largest barcos in Praga y also has the largest barco lounge. Its capacity is 190 persons inside the barco y 200 persons on the sunny deck. The barco hosts larger privado eventos, company parties, conferences, but it also sails on sightseeing cruceros. Sumava offers complete gastronomic service, buffet tables or the option of grilling on the upper open deck.
4. Tyrs barco
The Tyrs barco, which we can see today in the centre of Praga, was built by the Melnik shipyard y first set sail on 5 June 1958. Originally the barco was called Lipno y it was a stern paddle motor tugboat. In 1992 this Lipno tugboat was rebuilt by the Brnak shipping company into a passenger barco y at the same time renamed Tyrs. Subsequently, between 1992 y 1993 it sailed on the Decin-Hrensko route.
In 1994 the Tyrs barco was bought y to this day it is operated in Praga on the Moldava on sightseeing cruceros. The capacity of the barco is 296 persons, of whom 176 are seated on the covered deck. The barco also has a restaurant y a bar.
5. Petra barco
The Petra barco was built around 56 years ago in the Liben shipyard as a tow barco. And as a tow barco it was also brought in 2014 from Kralupy nad Vltavou to Praga. A small tugboat towed it on a rope to the ribera at Rasin ribera, waquí it also docked. The Petra barco used to serve to transport malt to Western European breweries y 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 eventos are also held on this farmers' barco y its use will continue to expand in the future.
6. Gladius
The Gladius barco comes from the shipyard of the Brno City Transport Company on the Brno (Kninicska) reservoir. It was made in 1956 y 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 y rebuilt into a restaurant excursion barco. Since then it bears the name Gladius. Its capacity is 50 persons.
