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Seven Must-See Technical Monuments

Although bridges, water towers and railway tracks are a standard fixture of modern-day life in Prague and are thus easy to overlook, many of them deserve some special attention. After you have explored all of the historical sites that duty calls on you to see, set out to discover some of the unique technical treasures to be found in the Czech metropolis.

  • Prague’s Semmering Track
  • Waterworks Museum in Podolí
  • Historical Tram Line No. 42
  • Petřín Lookout Tower
  • Folimanka Underground Bunker
  • Old Waste Water Treatment Plant in Bubeneč
  • Railway Bridge

Prague’s Semmering Track

Prague 5    pid.cz
Experience the romantic appeal of a train journey on the tracks connecting Prague’s Smíchov and Řepy districts. It comes as no surprise that the name “Prague’s Semmering” was adopted for this section of railway track. The lovely views of the countryside through which the motorised railcars travel offer an experience comparable to a ride on the Austrian mountain railway of the same name. After the train passes over the two arched viaducts in Hlubočepy, you will enjoy an unusual view of the Prague panorama, including the majestic waterworks building in Podolí, the steeples of the Church of Sts. Peter and Paul in the Vyšehrad district, and the television transmission tower in Žižkov. Several times a year a historic steam locomotive takes to the tracks.

Waterworks Museum in Podolí

Podolská 15, Prague 4    pvk.cz
The permanent exhibition at the Prague Waterworks Museum, housed in the former water treatment plant in the Podolí district, reveals some of the secrets of the city’s water supply system. Not only will you find out how the Czech metropolis built its first water mains and the role played by the city’s water towers, but you will also see historical artefacts and a sample of the water pipes that supplied water for Prague during the reign of Emperor Rudolf II. You can end your visit to the museum by viewing a unique collection of water meters or choose to take a stroll along the Vltava River. After all, water does hold some of the responsibility for the technological developments on display in the museum.

Historical Tram Line No. 42

Dlabačov, Praha 6  prague.eu/turisticka-tramvaj
The Střešovice Public Transport Museum is home to many types of vehicles that have plied the streets of Prague since the beginning of the 20th century. One such vehicle is the historical electric tram car number 3062 bearing route number 42, nicknamed the “Submarine”, built in the Ringhoffer-Tatra Works back in 1942. The Submarine embarks on tours of the city in the summer season. A conductor in period uniform will hand-punch your ticket, the driver stands behind the control panel, closes the glass door, rings the bell, and all you need to do is simply sit back on its wooden benches and enjoy the nostalgic journey through Střešovice, Hradčany, the Lesser Town, through the New Town all the way to Holešovice.

Petřín Lookout Tower and Funicular

Petřínské sady 633, Prague 1    prague.eu/petrinskarozhledna
Even Prague has its own version of the Eiffel Tower. The construction of the Petřín Tower was initiated by members of the Czech Tourists’ Club, who were enchanted by the Eiffel Tower in Paris. This younger sibling of the famous Paris landmark was built on Petřín Hill in 1891. For the sake of completeness, we should add that 175 tonnes of steel were used for building the 58,7 metre tower and that 299 steps lead up to the viewing gallery. However, there is also a lift. If you do not feel up to walking up to the tower, you can take the funicular almost to its base – the trip takes a little over three minutes.

Folimanka Underground Bunker

Pod Karlovem 1262, Prague 2    krytfolimanka.cz
The Folimanka underground bunker is a relic of the Cold War era, built in the late 1950s/early 1960s near Pod Karlovem Street at a depth of 20-25 m. With a floor space of 1332 m2 and survival supplies, it could serve as a refuge for 1300 people for up to 72 hours. It has wells, toilets, and an infirmary. In the power room, a three-cylinder 32 kW diesel motor from 1955 provides lighting, water, electricity, and air circulation. In case of emergency, the bunker is ready to serve its original purpose.

Old Waste Water Treatment Plant in Bubeneč

Papírenská 6, Prague 6    staracistirna.cz
At the start of the 20th century Prague’s sewage network was approximately 90 kilometres long. At that time the city’s sewage was routed to the new modern treatment plant designed by the famous English engineer William Henry Lindley. Although the capacity of the plant soon became inadequate due to Prague’s rapid growth, it remained in operation until 1967. In the 1990s it was converted into the Eco-Technical Museum. The sand traps, sluice gates, sedimentation tanks and the unique two-story engine room with steam engines are all in their original condition. This industrial monument attracts not only tourists and technology fans, but also filmmakers. The interiors of the Bubeneč Wastewater Treatment Plant are familiar to many actors, including Tom Cruise and Jack Nicholson.

Railway Bridge

Prague 2
Even in Prague you will find a bridge that is clearly different from the others at first glance. If you set out from the centre of the city and walk upriver you will reach Výtoň, which is connected to the Smíchov bank of the river by the Railway Bridge. The silhouette of this bridge has been inseparably linked with the view of Vyšehrad since 1872, in much the same way that the Charles Bridge has forever been linked to the Castle District panorama. The Railway Bridge structure also marks the end of the popular Vltava embankment, which comes to life particularly during the summer months when it is the site of farmers’ markets, flea markets, beer gardens and pubs.

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