Discover the Podskalská Customs House in Výtoň

The old customs building located in Prague 2 – Výtoni is the final surviving piece of a historic fishing village known as Under the Rocks. This customs house has existed since the 16th century, where swimmers could enjoy their time after paying a customs fee. Additionally, it acted as an inn and a resting place for sailors and other people who worked by the water. The area’s name, Under the Rocks, comes from the rocks that are home to the Emmaus Monastery, which is also referred to as Na Slovanech today. By the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the traditional Podskalské houses, with their unique wooden fences and harbors, started to be replaced by modern buildings, leading to significant changes in this historic part of Prague. The lives of swimmers, lumber traders, woodworkers, scribes, ice makers, and various artisans and laborers, all connected deeply to the Vltava River, have been preserved in the exhibition titled Extinct Podskalí and Life on the Vltava. In this exhibition, you will find a rich collection of photographs, illustrations, and tools that were once used by the craftsmen of Podskal.

The exhibition also highlights the evolution of transportation methods on the Vltava River around Prague, showcasing traditional raft transport and the advancements in shipping. This section will delight not only children but also all visitors with detailed models of various types of rafts and steamships. You will discover how rafts were built and connected, and learn about the duration of water travel to reach Prague. The mechanical-electronic simulator gives you a chance to experience a cruise through the historic St. John’s currents, which raftsmen had to navigate to guide their rafts into Prague safely. Once you successfully navigate the waters, you can attempt to attach a raft to a steam tugboat, maneuver through a lock, or pass through the spillway. There are also two models of the steamships Bohemia and Vltava from 1940, which are still operational on the river. Additionally, the famous steamship Mayor Dittrich is showcased, which gained fame from the film The Heroic Captain Korkorán featuring Vlasta Burian, as well as from the literature titled Mutiny on the Steamer Primátor Ditricht. This steamship was in operation from 1891 until 1951.

The museum located in the Podskalska Customs House is open all year, specifically on weekends, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Tickets can be bought at the entrance or online, with sales ending 30 minutes prior to closing time.

Historical Significance

• Original Purpose: Built to collect customs duties on timber transported into Prague.

• Stucco Emblem: Represents New Town of Prague, the authority granted the right to levy these duties.

• Steamship Legacy: A steamship in service from 1891–1951—immortalized in movies and books—is a highlight of the collection.

Exhibits & Displays

• Transportation Evolution: Models of rafts, steamships, and tools used by Podskal craftsmen illustrate the shift from traditional river travel to modern shipping.

• Interactive Simulator: Test your skills navigating St. John’s Currents and learn how to operate a lock or sluice.

Visitor Information

• Location: Výtoni, Prague 2

• Hours: Weekends, 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.

• Ticket Sales: End 30 minutes before closing

• Website: www.muzeumprahy.cz