Shooter's Island

The Shooter's Island is located roughly in the middle of the Vltava River. Legion Bridge connects it with Masaryk Embankment and Smetana Embankment on the right river bank and with Janáček Embankment on the left river bank. Territorially it belongs to the Old Town.

The first mention of the island in historical sources dates back to the 12th century when it was called the “Lawn“. First it was in the possession of the Hospitallers and functioned as a garden. Under the reign of Charles IV. the island became a place for Prague's shooters to practice the art of shooting from bows and crossbows. From the 18th century it became the sight of the Midsummer celebrations associated with gunfire and fireworks. Thus, the island received its name after this shooting tradition. In 1882 the I. Sokol Festival with 2,500 spectators was held here. In 1890, May 1st was celebrated here for the very first time in Bohemia.

In 1812, the Congregation of Prague Sharpshooters had a new brick Empire-style building with a pub built in place of the wooden shooting range built In 1842 the building was restored and extended by a terrace, a café and a loggia. On the first floor there was built a cinema. Today it is a state protected monument.

In the mid-19th century, the original alleys were extended and a walled restaurant was built on the island. The restaurant is there until today. Despite standing in the direction across the river, the building of the pub has survived the follds in in 1890 and in 2002.

Until 1841, the ferry provided the connection with the river banks. Between 1839 - 1841 the chain bridge of Emperor Francis I. was suspended over the island. Later it was replaced by Legion Bridge. From the southern side of the bridge you can descend to the island by a monumental staircase. Since 2008, a small-scale seasonal ferry of Prague 4 stops on the right side of the island and thus connects the island with Smetana Embankment and the Slavic and the Children's Island.

Today, in addition to restaurants on the island there are various sport facilities and a public park. Occasionally, there are also concerts, open-air festivals and similar cultural events.

In 2013 the island lived to see its reopening after a major reconstruction. The existing network of roads was repaired, the island was newly equipped with facilities such as benches and game elements, and the green lawns were renewed as well. The island has a disabled access lift.

We will také you to see the Shooter’s Island on our cruises such as a two-hour cruise, a lunch cruise or a dinner cruise. We highly recommend these cruises because you will also enjoy the exciting passage through the canal lock at Smíchov.