Vltava Underground

We invite you to a public space with the atmosphere of a nightclub on the river. The underpasses at Vltavská are being revitalized with new life. These spaces, which lost their original transit purpose between the Hlávkův Bridge and the Vltavská transport hub, were places that the residents of Prague tried to avoid. We replaced darkness and emptiness in two phases with a brightly lit area for the development of freestyle activities.

In the underpasses, you can find a streetball hoop with a stand, a dance space with a mirror, pole dance poles, obstacles for freestyle sports, a boulder, a workout area, and a street gallery. This time, the emphasis is on skateboarding, BMX, and scooter riders, who often lack suitable elements for freestyle riding at covered and well-lit locations. The element of water – the Vltava and its linear flow – has inspired our design. Night baths that are independent of the season, weather, and time of day. The space is designed to maintain the transit function of the underpass for pedestrians and cyclists even during peak traffic.

The underpasses underwent thorough cleaning, replacement of surfaces, and installation of quality lighting. The main materials used are steel and polished concrete, which have a long lifespan and are easy to maintain. When you get tired, the tunnels offer swings and a lounge chair with a beautiful view of Prague. At the entrance from the metro side, a space is reserved for a bus with refreshments.

A permanent guest is the concrete piggy bank Ollie – a symbol of togetherness, solidarity, and the patron of the underpass. Users and passersby can scan the QR code from the base of the piggy bank and thereby support socially disadvantaged people in this area. The QR code is linked to a transparent account in Prague 7, through which contributions can help people in difficult life situations meet their basic needs. Everyone can contribute; everyone is a neighbor to someone else. Have fun!