The Smíchov weir, also known as the Smíchov Lock (Plavební komora na Smíchově), is a water step on the Vltava in Prague. It lies along Janáček Embankment below Petržilka Island, on the left side of Children's Island. It was created by the two historically older weirs — Šítkov and Old Town — and a system of locks. It was built by the Lanna firm between 1911 and 1922 and is now one of four locks in Prague.
It consists of four sets of gates one after another. From the tip of Children's Island, a wall-separated channel continues along the Lesser Town under Legion Bridge to the Old Town Weir at Sovovy Mlýny. Just past Legion Bridge a famous branch of the Vltava — Devil's Channel — turns off to the left.
On the right side of both weirs there used to be historic mills — Šítkov by today's Slavonic Island and Old Town by the Old Town Weir at Charles Bridge. There were also waterworks on both sides of the Šítkov Weir — the Šítkov Water Tower and the Lesser Town Water Tower.
You may be interested to learn that the Smíchov Lock is the busiest lock on the Vltava, designed mainly for tourist passenger traffic. It is operated by the state enterprise Povodí Vltavy.
Passing through the lock is a great experience you can enjoy on board our boats and steamboats. Just join us on the Prague Grand Cruise, the lunch cruise or the dinner cruise.
