Slovanský Island

The island, formed by the gradual flooding and flood deposits, is a place of social events, balls and concerts. They take place in the Žofín Palace.

Slovanský Island, also known as Žofín, is an island on the right bank of the Vltava River, which extends between the Jirásek Bridge and the Bridge of the Legions. It has an area of 2.2 hectares. Nearby on the Masaryk Embankment stands the National Theatre.

The island originated during the 17th century by the gradual flooding of the soil, and its growth accelerated with the establishment of the New Town Mills under Zderaz. Today's dimensions of the island were aided especially by the flood in 1784. The island had three names. Leather dyers were based on the island, and therefore it was formerly called Barvířský. The second famous name is given by the archduchess Sophia (Žofie), the mother of Emperor Franz Joseph I. Its modern-day name since 1925 commemorates the important Slavonic congress that took place here in 1848.

The municipality of Prague bought the island and in 1884 constructed the Žofín Palace for social events. In 1918 the military headquarters of the National Committee were headquartered in the Žofín Palace. In 1930, the building of the Mánes Fine Artists Association with its exhibition hall and artistic café was built on the southern tip of the island in close proximity to the Šítkov Water Tower. The bridge linking the island with the National Theatre dates back to 1948.

Flooding in 2002 damaged the island and the Žofín Palace. They were both reopened in 2003.