Prague Public Transport turns 150, unveils “secrets” of city’s tramlines

This year the Prague Transport Company is celebrating 150 years of public transport in the Czech capital. To mark the occasion, it has prepared a documentary series entitled “The secrets of the Prague tramlines”.

Illustrative Photo: Lenka Žižková, Radio Prague International

Most commuters on Prague trams these days are preoccupied with their mobile phones and few of them bother to look out of the tram windows at the changing scenery along the route. This despite the fact that many tram lines pass through the historic city centre, offering stunning panoramic views of Prague Castle, Vyšehrad, the bridges on the Vltava River, the National Theatre, the Dancing Building dubbed Ginger and Fred, the Rudolfinum concert Hall or the Barrandov studios.

On its 150th anniversary the Prague Transport company has decided to make commuters wake up and take notice of what’s going on outside. Petr Malík, the head of the Public Transport Museum in Střešovice explains the idea behind the TV series.

Prague's Public Transport Museum in Střešovice|Photo: Jolana Nováková, Czech Radio

“When you take the tram to and from work every morning or afternoon, you don't notice your surroundings. That’s a huge pity, because each line passes through historic sites or past interesting places that are visible from the tram window or can be seen just a little further away if you know where to look –places linked to Czech history, culture and architecture. The tram connects interesting places that we don't really notice anymore," he says.

The series, which was made by a team of professional filmmakers, focusses on the surroundings of selected tram lines. Each episode is dedicated to a different line and has its own theme, according to the highlights on the given route. The film’s director Radovan Lipus explains.

Line 22 |Photo: Mélanie Vigneau, Radio Prague International

“We selected a given theme for each line. For instance the tram line 2 is dedicated to the buildings of architect Karel Prager, line 22 is a journey through the history of Czech statehood, that is, from the White Mountain, through Prague Castle to the grave of the former Czechoslovak prime minister Antonín Švehla in Hostivař. Tram line 9 is our “culture” line, going past Aero cinema, Lucerna, the Viola theatre, the National Theatre and the Švandovo divadlo theater . Line number 20, which departs from the Barrandov housing estate, is cinematic. Line 17, is a journey of “courage”, ending at the Kobylisy Shooting Range" .

The series is hosted by actor and architect David Vávra, who says that filming the commentary on a moving tram was no mean feat.

David Vávra in the series 'Taje pražské tramwaye' |Photo: Czech Television/Taje pražské tramwaye

"We had to do each spot several times. The scenery goes by quite quickly and sometimes I didn’t manage to get all the information in, or I forgot about something or the light was not right – so if the director was not happy, the tram went to the nearest turn and came back and I had to do it over and over until it was right.  That's not a complication, that's all part of the job."

The documentary series is just one of many events taking place throughout the year to mark the anniversary. The Prague Transport Company will have several open doors days at its depo, with exhibitions, books, games and special editions of collectibles for the public. On Sunday, September 21 there will be a festive tram parade from Karlín, including a horse-drawn “tram” which last carried passengers in Prague on May 12 of 1905.