Vltava River

The Vltava, known as Moldau in German, is, with a length of 430 kilometers, the longest river in the Czech Republic and is considered the country's national river. It originates in the Bohemian Forest (Šumava) from two headstreams, the Warm Vltava and the Cold Vltava, and flows in a wide arc from south to north through Bohemia. On its way, it passes through historic cities such as Český Krumlov, České Budějovice, and the capital, Prague, where it is crossed by the famous Charles Bridge. The landscape along the Vltava is extremely diverse, ranging from the dense forests of Šumava to the gentle hills of Central Bohemia and deep, rocky valleys. A series of nine reservoirs, the so-called Vltava Cascade, regulates the river's flow and serves for energy production and recreation. The Vltava was and is a source of inspiration for artists, most famously immortalized in Bedřich Smetana's symphonic poem 'Vltava' (The Moldau).

Nearby cities

Prague

The Golden City on the Vltava River, famous for its historic Charles Bridge and the massive Prague Castle complex.

Prague

Prague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic, situated on the Vltava River and famous for its historic center and Charles…

Plzeň

Plzeň is known worldwide as the birthplace of Pilsner beer and is a major industrial and cultural center in Western Bohemia.

Máj

Máj is a large and significant housing estate in České Budějovice, known for its extensive panel building architecture and ongoing urban …

České Budějovice

České Budějovice is the capital of South Bohemia, located at the confluence of the Vltava and Malše rivers, famous for its brewing tradit…

Kladno

Kladno is the largest city in the Central Bohemian Region and historically a major center of coal mining and heavy industry.

Lužiny Housing Estate

Lužiny is a large housing estate in the southwest of Prague, known for its modernist architecture and excellent connections to the city c…

Jihlava

Jihlava is the administrative center of the Vysočina Region and a former free mining town that grew wealthy in the Middle Ages from silve…

Mladá Boleslav

Mladá Boleslav is a major industrial city in Central Bohemia and the heart of Czech automobile production.

Tábor

Tábor was founded in the 15th century by the Hussites as a fortified settlement and is closely linked to the history of the Czech Reforma…

Třebíč Jewish Quarter

One of the best-preserved Jewish quarters in Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Kolín

Kolín is a city on the Elbe River in Central Bohemia, known for its significant historical heritage and as a major industrial and chemica…

Příbram

Příbram is a traditional mining town southwest of Prague, known primarily for silver and uranium mining and as a pilgrimage site.

Písek

Písek is a historic city in South Bohemia on the Otava River, famous for the oldest preserved stone bridge in the country.

Litoměřice

Litoměřice is a royal city at the confluence of the Elbe and Ohře rivers, regarded as one of the most beautiful cities in northern Bohemia.

History & landmarks

Cesky Krumlov

A medieval jewel in South Bohemia, embraced by a loop of the Vltava River and crowned by a magnificent castle.