Praguer as a log – the second quiz about Prague 9
This address is often understood rather derogatorily, but let’s make it a priority at PrahaIN.cz. A true Pražák knows his forest like a log, where it grows and literally knows something about every tree stump he stumbles upon. So can you also boldly declare that you are a Praguer like a log?
So let’s test your knowledge of the metropolis. This time about the administrative part or, if you want, about the city district Prague 9. This is the cadastral territory of Prosek, the southern half of Střížkovo, almost all of Hrdlořez, the overwhelming part of Vysočany, roughly a fifth of Libně, the western third of Hloubětina and a small part of Malešice. Administrative part of Prague 9 covers an area of approximately 14 km2, which is less than 3 percent of the total area of the metropolis. However, 60,000 inhabitants live here, which is roughly 4.5 percent of the total population of the capital.
We have prepared ten questions for you, which will confirm your right to boast the title of Praguer as a log. Have you gathered enough courage? Try to find the answers to the following questions. Let the fact that the test concerns be a small hint ninth administrative districtand.
Questions:
1. Do you know in which year František Křižík extended the tram line to Vysočany?
2. Do you know what the Třešňovka hill in Hrdlořež was used for before the orchard was planted here?
3. According to legend, which monarch founded the church of St. Wenceslas in Prosek?
4. Do you know in what style Jirásk’s villa in Malešice was built?
5. Do you know what was mined in the area of today’s natural monument Prosecká skály?
6. Do you know which general stayed in the rectory of the Prosecco church of St. Wenceslas during the Battle of Štěrbohol?
7. Do you know where we can find three bridges combined into one?
8. Do you know where the Industry statue, which stands at the Vysočany polyclinic, originally stood?
9. Do you know where we can find a tree with its roots up in Prague 9?
10. Do you know how many stations, including the destination ones, once existed on the well-known railway line Těšnov – Vysočany?
Correct answers:
1. Do you know in which year František Křižík extended the tram line to Vysočany?
In 1898. What was interesting was that at that time Libeň was an independent town that was not part of Prague and Vysočany was just a village. It can thus be said that this tram line did not concern Prague at all. Vysočany was elevated to an independent town only in 1902; but twenty years later they were swallowed up by Great Prague.
Hrdlořezská Třešňovka in winter
2. Do you know what the Třešňovka hill in Hrdlořež was used for before the orchard was planted here?
There was a military observation post. The rounded ridge of the hill indicates this. The famous orchard was created here only after II. world war. The last controlled collection of cherries took place in 1992, and since then the site has been overgrown with raids and dozens of black dumps. The renovation took place in 2015. At that time, trees of different cherry varieties were planted. The earliest is the German Express. More rare species of animals and plants such as Pryšec chvojka, Pěnkava obecná or Bělásek Realův appear in the locality.
3. According to legend, which monarch founded the church of St. Wenceslas in Prosek?
Allegedly, it was Boleslav II. The year should have been written in 970. However, archaeologists are very reluctant to confirm this rumor. According to them, the church is about 80 years younger. However, be that as it may, it is the oldest church in the ninth city district. It was very heavily damaged during the Hussite riots.
Jirásk’s villa was the crown of the local park, today the Malešice Botanical Garden
4. Do you know in what style Jirásk’s villa in Malešice was built?
In the pseudo-Renaissance. This small mansion was built for the industrialist Antonín Jirásek. The villa can be found on the slope of the Tábor hill. The castle park later became the botanical garden of the vocational high school.
The natural monument of Prosecká skály
5. Do you know what was mined in the area of today’s natural monument Prosecká skály?
The protected area includes a number of former quarries. There is a labyrinth of tunnels and small mining halls where construction sand was mined until 1925. The reason for today’s protection is the endangered bats that use the tunnels as a habitat. The local underground in Prosek is mysterious and unexplored. There are corridors up to a hundred meters long in the chalk bedrock. Sandstone has always been mined here, both the solid one intended as a building stone and the crumbling one, which was part of the mixture for the production of prosecco bricks. In the 1960s, part of the underground was poured with concrete to prevent the roads and sidewalks from sinking. Nevertheless, even today we can find corridors two meters wide and high. During the economic crisis, unemployed families lived here. The network of corridors served as an anti-aircraft shelter during the war: This is evidenced by the engraved arrows and the remains of the lighting. The Prague 9 office now promises to open part of the corridors to the public.
6. Do you know which general stayed in the rectory of the Prosecco church of St. Wenceslas during the Battle of Štěrbohol?
It was General Daum with his command staff of the Prussian army. The year was 1757.
Railway triple bridge in Prague’s Hloubětín
7. Do you know where we can find three bridges combined into one?
In Hloubětín. It is about the Three Bridges near Hořejší rybník. A unique combination of three bridges into one. The original 1845 viaduct sits on three arches and two piers and is double-track. Rokytka flows through the middle field. The original viaduct was repaired in 1928. The southern riveted truss structure of the Vršovice monorail branch stood next to it on stone pillars. The last part of the three bridges was added in 1952, when a new three-arched concrete bridge was built to the north of the original viaduct.
8. Do you know where the Industry statue, which stands at the Vysočany polyclinic, originally stood?
A short distance from Wenceslas Square. Sculptures have difficult and often complex destinies. The bronze sculpture Industry by Vincenc Makovský from 1938 was created as a twin of the statue Trade. originally both stood in front of the Money Exchange, i.e. the former Federal Assembly. In 1945 they moved to Zbraslav. They didn’t even last there. The industry took root in Vysočany, where it has remained to this day. The store was moved to Příbrami, where it disappeared after a while and has been missing ever since.
9. Do you know where we can find a tree with its roots up in Prague 9?
In the Podviní park near the Keltská hradiště viewpoint. The viewpoint, as well as the entire architecturally highly valued park, was created in 1997-8. During construction, the original castle garden was used. Original lakes and trees are sensitively integrated into the project. A new Celtic fort with corridors and a tunnel was created according to the design of the Špoula/Pacner tandem. The highlight is an oak tree planted with its roots up
10. Do you know how many stations, including the destination ones, once existed on the well-known Těšnov – Vysočany railway line?
Four. Vysočany railway station, Denisovo railway station in Těšnov, Dolní Libeň railway station and Rohanský ostrov railway station. Have you wondered exactly where the no longer existing railway between Těšnov and Vysočany led? Let’s try to describe it. From Těšnov, it started to the banks of the Vltava, so it would lead to where the huge Diamond Point house stands today, it would cross the traffic light at the Těšnov Vedvi tunnel and lead along the Vltava like today’s bike path. Here she would cross the Negrelli Viaduct. Roughly beyond the River Diamanond, residential traffic would begin to diverge from the Vltava. It would pass through the Vltava Residence, River Garden Office II and III, and at the Rohanská nábřeží – Šaldova traffic lights, it would pass through its center. It would be connected to the embankment that rises above Sokolovská Street. Here, she would copy the street right in front of the Invalidovna metro station. Here, the track would deviate from Sokolovská street to the left and stick to the right side of Rohanská nábřeží street. There it would lead past the current intersection with traffic lights. It would turn right behind them and copy the right side of Vojenova Street. Finally, it would cross the large tram intersection on Palmovce in the middle and turn right with the trams to Na Žertvách street. Even before the crossroads at Palmovce, it was the cause of the demise of the local Jewish cemetery. Because she bit off its southern tip and then it went with the cemetery from ten to five. In the bed of Na Žertvách Street, it would lead under today’s railway overpass and destroy the subsequent level crossing. There is a small embankment between Nad Kolčavkou and Kovanecká streets. The track would fit on it, it would cross the Rokytka river and begin to approach the current track, it would connect to it at the places of today’s bridge above the Podviní park. After the track, however, we were left with a memory in the form of tiny silent witnesses. The first is visible from Vysočany station. There is still a turn to Těšnov here, even with a queue signal. The turn is even accompanied by tracks for 100 meters, which are terminated by a strange stop. There are no tracks further, but we find the concrete sleepers, which gradually disappear and only the embankment remains. It ends at the most prominent remnant of the railway, which is the bridge over the Rokytka. Near the tram junction on Palmovce we can still find the former Praha-Dolní Libeň station building. Another memory is the rampart in the immediate vicinity of Sokolovská Street. There is a car repair shop at the Šaldova – Sokolovská traffic light. If you take a closer look at his building, you will recognize the Praha-Rohanský ostrov railway station building in it.