Vaults of the embankment

The glazed vaults on the Novoměstská náplavka (New Town Embankment) are a great example of modern Prague architecture that complements the old with the new. In this case, they are known as “čapadla” or passages through the riverside wall, originally used to catch boats. These formerly purely utilitarian spaces have undergone a complete reconstruction and now house restaurants, cafes, and cultural venues. The original vault doors have been replaced by gigantic glazed windows weighing up to 2.5 tons. The principle is based on maximizing the connection between the exterior and interior, achieved through these enormous pivoting lenses.

The revitalization of Prague’s embankments on the Rašínovo and Hořejší Embankments is one of the largest urban investments in public spaces in years. Thanks to this initiative, the areas along the river have become even more open to people, fully realizing the potential of the embankments.