Kampa Island

You may not know this, but the Czech capital is home to nearly a dozen islands. In the heart of the city center is the largest and most famous of them all: the picturesque Kampa. While the earliest known mention of this island dates back to the 12th century, the origin of its name is not so clear. There are two main theories. The first claims it’s named after a former resident named Tychon Kampu. The second is based on the etymology of the word “Kampa,” the latin word for “field”. After the great fire of Prague in 1541, Kampa Island was a collection of gardens. A century later, it became home to water mills used for flour production, powered by the Čertovka canal—also known as the “Devil’s Stream.” A rather ominous name, which, according to legend, originates from a malicious washerwoman. To get revenge on her spite, six devils were apparently painted on her house. In the 16th century, the northern part of Kampa was the first part of the island to see civilisation. Quaint little houses and restaurants started being built around the small square of Na Kampě. Take a stroll there, and you’ll see just how charming and romantic the place feels. Many notable Czech figures have fallen for its beauty, making the island their home or retreat. Among them, the poet Vladimír Holan, author of A Night with Hamlet, and actor Jiří Voskovec, known for his role in 12 Angry Men. There are parks further south that will make you fall in love with the island,—perfect for a stroll, a picnic, or simply admiring the Old Town’s towers. Rightly nicknamed the “Venice of Prague,” Kampa is a must-see spot.