This permanent exhibition at the Podskalí Customs House in Prague explores the unique, now-vanished neighborhood of Podskalí and its historical connection to life on the Vltava River. Visitors can learn about the area's origins, its inhabitants, and the significance of river trade, particularly timber rafting.
The Podskalí Customs House, a historical building over 500 years old, now houses a permanent exhibition dedicated to the once-thriving, yet now lost, Prague neighborhood of Podskalí. This area was historically home to rafters, sand miners, lumberjacks, ice men, and customs officers, and its name, Výtoň, is derived from the practice of collecting timber as customs duty. The exhibition delves into the rich history of Podskalí, which dates back to at least 1358, and its close relationship with the Vltava River. Visitors will gain insight into the river's importance to the city, its historical transformations, and the challenges posed by floods. Interactive elements, including models of boats and rafts, are featured to illustrate the demanding work of timber rafting in its heyday.