Prague Devil's Channel Cruise on Vltava River with Commentary

This prague river cruise starts at Pier 3B on the Dvořák Embankment. Here, the Vltava is wide and grand. You get the big postcard views of Prague Castle right away. But the real magic happens when the captain steers the boat toward the Charles Bridge. Instead of going under the main arches, you will duck into a tiny opening. This is the entrance to the Čertovka canal. Suddenly, the city noise just stops. The water sits right against the foundations of old houses. It looks like the buildings are floating. It is a tight squeeze. That is the point. You skip the slow river locks on this route. You are seeing a side of the Lesser Town most people only glimpse from the bridges above.

These dark waters have plenty of ghost stories. The name Devil’s Channel stuck in the 19th century. Legend says a nasty woman named Aloisie lived nearby in the House of the Seven Devils. She was so unpleasant that people started calling the canal after her. But there is a friendlier spirit here too. Look for the small green statue near the mill wheel. That is Kabourek. He is a Vodník, or water goblin. He is usually shown smoking a pipe and looking relaxed. In Slavic lore, these guys can be dangerous. But Kabourek is a local favorite. He is a benevolent guardian who supposedly helps the neighborhood fishermen. Keep an eye out for him.