Paper Model of Vltava Paddle Steamer and Water Tower (Cz) (Paper models of Czech buildings)

The Prague Steamship Company and its predecessors operated river steamers since the 19th century. On the turn of the 30's, and 40's of the 20th century, within the scope of modernization of their fleet, beside motor boats, it had four large paddle steamers built. Vltava paddle steamer was one of them. It is 53 m long, 5.1 m wide; it was launched in 1940. With an exception of years 1942-45, when it was renamed to Moldau, it has been operating under its original name. In 1960 it was modernised and supplemented with a superstructure. During a total reconstruction (1991) it was rebuilt to a parlour restaurant steamer, and the steam engine was reconstructed from coal to fuel oil propulsion. The original maximum seat capacity was 650, the contemporary capacity including the sun parlour is 200 seats. At present, the steamer is under a full-scale reconstruction. At the moment, on the Vysehrad steamer is in operation. There are no other functional large paddle steamers in the Czech lands. The Lesser Town (Petrzilka) water tower stands in the place of the former Kartouzy mill, the owner of which at the end of the 15th century was Jan Petrzilka - hence the name of the tower. The stony tower was erected in the place of an original wooden water tower in the years 1561 - 62; in the 17th century it was reconstructed in the Renaissance style by C. Lurago. Its reservoir on the upper floor had a capacity of 10.5 hectolitres and distributed water into 57 public fountains in Smichov and Lesser Town quarters. It served until 1886. The present user of the building is the Aquiculture Development and Construction company. It was reconstructed during the years 1987 - 88 and was connected with the neighbouring building on the Smichov bank by means of a glazed foot bridge designed by architect J. Petrikova. The Petrzilka tower is the lowest water tower in Prague, it is approximately 34 m tall. The Petrzilka Island is the smallest island on Vltava in Prague, with the size of 60×10 m.