Kampa Island is considered to be the oldest island in the river Vltava.

HISTORY

Kampa Island was mentioned in earlymedieval sources, however its present appearance is due to the great fire of 1541.It broke out in one of the houses on the Lesser Town Square and quickly spread all over the town.
Debris from the damaged houses was moved here – leadig to the ground level of the island being
elevated so much that it was possible to built the first burgess houses here.

WHERE CAN WE FIND KAMPA ISLAND?

Kampa Island is separated from the Lesser Town riverbank by a small stream. It acquired many
names in the past but since the end of the 19th century it has been known as Čertovka – the Devil’s
Stream, which was probably man-made in the 12th century as a millrace. Although, strictly
speaking, this makes

ROMANTIC PLACE

It is the one which is often portrayed on most of the romantic pictures you see in art galleries. In case you want to
compare the paintings with reality, you can take in the artists’ view from Charles Bridge.
This picturesque corner of Prague might be sometimes known as the „Prague Venice“. Well, you
can see any gondolas, but the atmosphere is just as lovely.

GARDENS AND BUILDINGS

In the Middle Ages, you would have only found gardens spreading out over the entire Kampa island. The first burgess houses were built in the second half of the 16th century, as well as palace gardens built
on the Lesser Town riverbank and mills. Gardens, orginally separate, were converted into one large
park designed in the English style as late as the mid-20th century.
The very first buildings appearing here were the houses of bricklayers, carpenters and stonemasons
who wanted to comfortably keep an eye on the Charles Bridge, and maintain it in a perfect state. At
the end of the 16th century, a pottery market was moved to the central square of the Island – and
this tradition has been kept up to the present day.

Kampa is only 5 minutes walking from our hostel. Do not forget, you can make a reservation right here