This year marks an extraordinary anniversary – 150 years since the premiere of Bedřich Smetana's iconic symphonic poem Vltava. The central theme of this exceptional composition is a celebration of Czech nature, especially our longest river, a vital artery of the Czech landscape, a living symbol of national identity, and an endless source of inspiration for poets, painters,
and composers.

Drawing on the motifs of the river and the life surrounding it, the new exhibition
VLTAVA: Famed & Flowing invites visitors on a captivating journey through time – following the flow of nature, technology, art, and human creativity. It highlights the Vltava River as a place of memories, stories, and cultural heritage.

The artistic portion of the exhibition features, among others, iconic paintings of the Vltava as depicted by Egon Schiele, Václav Špála, Jakub Schikaneder, Bohumil Havránek, and Oskar Kokoschka. Allegorical interpretations of the river are brought to life by important sculptures by artists such as Stanislav Sucharda and Václav Prachner. The most important exhibits include the original Baroque statue of Samson from the fountain in České Budějovice and the statue
of St. John of Nepomuk by Jan Brokoff – the model for the renowned bronze statue on Charles Bridge. This section is further enriched by rare objects, including Bedřich Smetana's autograph and original manuscript of the famous symphonic poem Vltava from his Má vlast (My Country) cycle, as well as the reliquary of St. John of Nepomuk from the St. Vitus Treasury.

Much space is also devoted to the river’s technical and natural riches. Visitors will see, for example, models of bridges, boats, steamships, barges, timber rafting tools, unique moldavites, gold and pearls in their raw form and processed into exceptional jewellery, coins, and other artistic artefacts. There are also themes related to leisure, such as water sports, tramping culture, and the legendary settlement of Ztracenka (Lost Hope), which has become a symbol of riverbank romance and freedom.

The exhibition is accompanied by a rich accompanying programme for families and school groups. A steamboat-shaped play area and worksheets will be available
in the Prague Castle Riding School.

To book a guided educational programme for primary school classes, please use the following link.

 The exhibition is organized by
the National Heritage Institute and the Prague Castle Administration.