Floods of 1872: Berounka sailed into the Vltava and sank Prague – 337 dead
The flood that occurred in Saturday, May 25 year 1872, was pernicious, destructive AND unexpected. For all the downpours could be as heavy as they would be the clouds broke. “It fell in Mladotice in the Pilsen region in just an hour and a half 237 mm, which, according to CHMI, represents an unbeaten record in terms of torrential rainfall“States the information pages Czech Hydrometeorological Institute.
As a result of rains and storms, which were accompanied by the occurrence of several tornadoes, the Czech Republic flooded the rivers. Especially those west of Prague: Missile, Litavka, Klabava – They all flow into Berounky, which flooded within a few hours to the level of the millennial water that flowed into Prague.
Berounka “won’t hurt”
Although there was no internet at the time and the telephone was still the “music of the future”, the situation in Prague was tense. “The capital has been bombarded with telegrams about the catastrophic development in the Berounka river basin since Saturday afternoon“States Otomar Dvořák in the publication” Heavenly Sluices Opened…: Malignant Flood in Bohemia – 1872 on Streams and Litavka, Berounka, Vltava and Surrounding Areas “.
however, too many Praguers, including representatives of the Royal Capital City of Prague, took it lightly. “It is said that the mere Berounka in Prague cannot harm that it will appear in the Vltava, ”States Dvořák. The Vltava is a larger river with a wider riverbed. But it could not be enough for such an onslaught. On the contrary – she quite succumbed to her smaller “sister”.
Defeated Vltava
The Prague political team announced this shortly after midnight after news reached Prague about the damage the flood was doing in Beroun. Dvořák has an eyewitness to describe the situation: “The Beroun Basin formed a large lake on Saturday evening, of which only Beroun with its taller buildings and towers stood out. All the buildings closer to the river suddenly found themselves under water. Two cottages were completely taken away by the water, four people drowned. ”The area“ between Černošice and Zbraslaví also turned into a large lake, from where only the tops of the trees emerged. “
When the expected “dissolution” of Berounka in the Vltava was to take place, the complete opposite happened. “There was a return water effect,” notes Dvořák. “The flooded Berounka overcame the Vltava and drove it back upstream. The level of the Vltava rose sharply from the confluence with the Berounka. ” allowed.
![](https://img.cncenter.cz/foto/prazsky-okruh-srovnani-povoden-povodne-praha/Zml0LWluLzk3OHg5OTk5L2ZpbHRlcnM6cXVhbGl0eSg4NSk6bm9fdXBzY2FsZSgpL2ltZw/1778675.jpg?v=0&st=8DbG4ucKqbR4MdD2i-Cu4naba5Y6ur3qhRtHPfYbBfQ&ts=1600812000&e=0)
Prague ring road – Lahovice area: Before the flood and during the flood of 2013. This is what it looked like in 1872.
Author: Lightning
Night apocalypse
A lot of water flowed into Prague on Sunday after midnight. Around that time, “the police were ordered to wake people up. The headquarters of the Prague military garrison sent everyone to the streets trumpeters AND drummers. It was shot from mortars on Petřín and Letná, ”Says Dvořák. Around two o’clock in the morning, the Vltava overflowed its banks and Prague found itself under water.
![Hudera and son's butcher's shop and sausage shop are located in Střešovice Street Nad Hradním vodojemem.](https://img.cncenter.cz/foto/reznictvi-lahudkarstvi-uzenar-tomas-hudera-stresovice-reznik/MHgwL3NtYXJ0L3RoYg/1-normal300-5720666.jpg?v=3&st=tqDqaekSnj9qozOGkVN5DTDH6I2wsFEZSODtU8vQsig&ts=1600812000&e=0)
“It simply came to our notice then flooded the whole Podskalí i Vyšehrad Castle. Botic spilled and cut off these neighborhoods from the city. She was flooded Kampa most Lesser Towns. In the Old Town, water entered the St. Agnes Square, rushing Kaprova and Křižovnické streets. The St. Agnes Monastery and all the streets along Klimentská to Poříčí were flooded, “Dvořák writes. The water level rose sharply and soon the Prague islands disappeared, the position “could only be recognized by the trees, tossing in the middle of the roaring river. The weirs under the monolithic, rolling, also disappeared surface, which looked like it was cooking. “
And since the storm water carried all the wood, all the clutter he managed to pick up, the bridges were in danger as well. The deposits of wood, boats, rafts, furniture and everything that the water brought not only clogged Negrelli Viaduct, which water “bypassed” across Rohan Island.
![](https://img.cncenter.cz/foto/povoden-praha-vltava-berounka-1872-karluv-most-cernosice/Zml0LWluLzk3OHg5OTk5L2ZpbHRlcnM6cXVhbGl0eSg4NSk6bm9fdXBzY2FsZSgpL2ltZw/7702483.jpg?v=0&st=MNuqwQ82qYI5p6kDHkETqWLyf83iOJ5i36aO_fUKzTI&ts=1600812000&e=0)
The period photograph shows the alluvium that the great water brought to Prague in May 1872. They shattered and sealed, especially at bridges. The photo shows Charles Bridge, which was literally clogged with driftwood and various junk.
Author: ČTK / Scheufler Collection / František Fridrich
“The scariest sight was of Charles Bridge. The anti-fire barriers were broken after the first impacts, rafts and ships hit the bridge piers directly, turned, jammed and they blocked the holes between the arches. Everything that was floating on the Vltava began to catch up behind them, “says Dvořák. The plug, which was built near Charles Bridge, caused the demolition of some houseswhich stood in the way of the Vltava.
After rain
As soon as the water came to Prague, it also left. On Monday, the water level dropped, or the wave “moved” further north down the Vltava to the Elbe. “From Podbaba to Libčice the water rose to the level of the railway embankment and flooded the road, fields, meadows and all settlements lying by the water, “Dvořák continues. “Traditional the image of the confluence of the Elbe and the Vltava was replaced by one cast water surfaceabove which a light fog mysteriously hovered. “
![The fountain attracts both adults and children](https://img.cncenter.cz/foto/fontana-vaclavske-namesti-voda-leto/MzAweDIxMC9jZW50ZXIvdG9wL2ZpbHRlcnM6cXVhbGl0eSg4NSk6bm9fdXBzY2FsZSgpL2ltZw/7699873.jpg?v=0&st=YfFB72ut09GDMD0m1WvpkuRV1miwhZhwshCjJ6pnxpw&ts=1600812000&e=0)
Losses and damages were added up in Prague. “It was discovered during the storms human body, which was buried in the nearest cemeteries, “says Dvořák.” On May 29, fishermen from the Vltava in Holešovice caught some. a ceremoniously dressed, woman of about thirty years old; she was wearing white stockings, a red skirt, high lace-up boots, and an embroidered vest; then a band of glass pearls with a small lead locket on his neck. “
![](https://img.cncenter.cz/foto/vltava-berounka-chuchle/Zml0LWluLzk3OHg5OTk5L2ZpbHRlcnM6cXVhbGl0eSg4NSk6bm9fdXBzY2FsZSgpL2ltZw/2642863.jpg?v=0&st=OvrFb_DjpN-j9OjzECKiYcSTffC9wxToP2-cTuwTrZE&ts=1600812000&e=0)
Confluence of Berounka and Vltava.
Author: Lightning
Fishermen later made an even sadder find there when they were fascinated by a floating decorated closet in the Vltava. “They pulled her ashore and pulled out the door. Maybe they were looking forward to some treasures – but the treasure that was inside really took their breath away, “says Dvořák. “A dead, huddled girl knelt there, her hands clasped tightly before her mouth and her eyes closed. She looked like a Madonna in an altar cabinet. She could be about twelve to fourteen. She probably hid in the closet for fear of a storm. “
Quite devastating floods caused unimaginable damage throughout the Czech Republic. Houses and bridges were destroyed, and several ponds were destroyed. AND a total of 337 victims found death in turbulent waters. “Mad May 1872 became the month of death instead of the month of love“Concludes Dvořák.
It freezes: The flood in Prague. (2013) Jan Jedlička
![Floods in May 1872 devastated the railway bridge in Černošice - Mokropsy. Floods in May 1872 devastated the railway bridge in Černošice - Mokropsy.](https://img.cncenter.cz/foto/povoden-praha-vltava-berounka-1872-karluv-most-cernosice/NjIweDMyOC9jZW50ZXIvdG9wL3NtYXJ0L2ZpbHRlcnM6cXVhbGl0eSg4NSkvaW1n/7702482.jpg?v=0&st=dLfbcbFciVYc_-wA521VtcHEwQrwGP8CiQmMGobt6Qs&ts=1600812000&e=0)
Floods in May 1872 devastated the railway bridge in Černošice – Mokropsy.
Author: ČTK / Scheufler Collection / František Fridrich