Vltava, River in South Bohemia, Czech Republic
The Vltava is a river stretching 430 kilometers from its springs in the Bohemian Forest through Prague to its junction with the Elbe at Mělník. It crosses the rolling hills of South Bohemia and the central basin of the capital, passing castles, villages and several reservoirs.
The name evolved from the Germanic Wilth-ahwa meaning wild water and first appeared in historical records as Fuldaha in the year 872. From 1930 onward, nine hydroelectric plants were built along its course, changing how the river was used.
The Czech composer Bedřich Smetana wrote a symphonic poem following the river as it flows through Bohemia, giving it the name Vltava. This piece belongs to his cycle My Homeland and traces the water from its springs all the way to Prague.
Vessels up to 1,000 tonnes can navigate between Mělník and Prague, while smaller boats travel upstream as far as České Budějovice. Flow speed and depth vary widely depending on the section and season, so it helps to check current conditions before setting out on the water.
The Lipno and Orlík reservoirs belong to nine hydroelectric plants built since 1930 that regulate the flow and generate considerable power for the region. These installations reshaped the landscape and created large bodies of water now used for leisure and recreation.
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