Kampa Island

   Stand in the middle of Kampa Square and you'll see such houses as U Modre lisky (At the blue fox) at No. 498; U Zlateho hroznu (At the golden grape), at No. 499; U hnedeho konicka (At the brown little horse) at No. 491; U Zlatych nuzek (At the golden scissors) at No. 494. A stone's throw away are Charles Bridge and the ancient streets of Mala Strana (Lesser Town).

   Although first mention of Kampa Island is in the foundation act of the Maltese Order under King Vladislav II. This dates from 1169. Yet even as late as the 14th century Kampa was called simply an Island. Not before 1770 do we find it recorded under the current name Kampa. Its origin is uncertain. Some connect it with the name of one of the landowners in the area, Tychon Gansberg from Kamp, who lived on this island in the 17thcentury. Kampa is separated from Mala Strana (the Lesser Quarter) by a stretch of water called Rozmberk Stream, a name used until the end of the 16th century. Today it is called Certovka (The Devil’s Stream). Its name originates from the House of Seven Devils. This very charming part of the city is also called the Venice of Prague. In the past, the island was a place of agriculture and grain grinding. The mills which today are called Sovovy Mlyny (The Sova Mills) probably came into existence as early as the 14th century. With the development of the construction industry from the 16th century onwards, records exist of the first houses and palaces with gardens on the Island. A famous pottery market has taken place on Kampa from 1599 until the present day.