Hořejší Embankment

Hořejší Embankment belongs to the formerly industrial district of Smíchov, which has undergone a dramatic transformation in recent decades and become a fully fledged part of Prague's wider city centre.

Industry once defined the Smíchov riverfront. From the mid-18th century it became home to manufactories, chemical works, spinning mills, a mill-machinery factory, porcelain works and many other enterprises. The Smíchov brewery has operated here continuously since 1869.

The section of Hořejší Embankment between Jirásek and Palacký bridges was built after 1903. The adjoining broad riverfront towards the railway bridge was not completed until the 1920s. Even before then, the Smíchov bank had popular river baths and a wooden theatre arena, demolished in 1938. Sand diggers also worked here, extracting sand from the riverbed in barges and distributing it around the city by cart. Smíchov retained its industrial character until the early 1980s.

At the turn of the millennium, Anděl—the centre of Smíchov—became a busy commercial crossroads, and the modern Smíchov City district is now growing nearby. The riverfront has also found a new purpose through a revitalisation designed by architect Petr Janda. A playground and sports area were created on the upper level. Down by the water, vaults once used as openings to catch timber rafts now contain bars, restaurants, creative workshops, a city-library branch and community Vault No. 17 for non-commercial activities.