Vyšehrad station charms commuters with its stunning panoramic views
In this episode of our series on the Prague metro, we head to Vyšehrad, on Line C, to visit one of the city's oldest and most distinctive stations, renowned for its unique layout and design. Anna Švarc, the architect behind the Prague metro, guided us through the station.
For this episode, we let you choose which station you’d like to feature. As an architect, what is it about Vyšehrad metro station that you find particularly compelling?
“Vyšehrad is one of the most intriguing stations in the Prague metro system. Its design is a compact urban complex offering stunning panoramic views. The shifting sunlight throughout the day makes the station feel alive and ever-changing. Its location also stands out, given that it connects to the monumental Nusle Bridge. The station is not overly imposing; the station blends in seamlessly with the hillside of terraces and green spaces. The metro station’s harmony with the landscape is remarkable.”
Would it be accurate to say that Vyšehrad is simultaneously underground, at ground level, and above ground?
“Yes, that's correct. On the bridge side, the metro tracks are around forty meters above ground level before they descend to ground level and eventually go underground.”
Was Nusle Bridge, an extension of the station, initially designed to accommodate metro traffic?
“Originally, the Nusle Bridge was designed to carry tram traffic! Trams were meant to run on the lower deck of the bridge, but during the works, plans were modified to accommodate the metros instead of trams. The project therefore had to be revised to support the weight of the heavy Soviet-era metro trains.”
Vyšehrad is among the oldest stations in the Prague metro network. It opened on May 9th in 1974 - a symbolic date, since on the same day in 1945 the USSR helped defeat Nazi Germany. At the time of its opening, the station was not yet called Vyšehrad, was it?
“The metro station was initially named Gottwaldova, after Klement Gottwald, the first Communist president of Czechoslovakia serving from 1948 to 1953. The first section of the C line was closely tied to the political agenda of the time; its design was meant to reflect and promote political ideals. The choice of name was therefore of major importance.”
Following the fall of the Communist regime, the station was renamed in 1990 after the castle in its vicinity– Vyšehrad. What is the historic significance of the castle to Prague and Czechia?
“Vyšehrad is one of the region’s oldest fortresses. It is closely linked to the legends about Czechia’s founding. In the 11th century, under Vratislav II, it became the residence of Bohemian rulers. Vyšehrad’s function has changed many times. Once the ruling place of Bohemian dukes and kings, it went on to have a more religious role. After that, it wasn’t until the reign of Charles IV that the fortress became part of the city of Prague. Today, the venue serves a cultural role. Over the last few years, efforts have been made to revitalise this historic site.”
As an architect for the Prague metro, are you working on projects to renovate or modernise the station and its surroundings?
“We are currently thinking about modernising the Prague Congress Centre and a number of other facilities directly linked to the station. I am currently involved in a project that aims to improve traffic flow between the metro station and the nearby Congress Centre. Specifically, the idea involves removing non-original commercial elements and replacing them with a gently sloping staircase - we are still discussing the design of this staircase. The original design of the metro station reflected the Palais des Congrès, whereas personally, I believe the station should retain its original symmetrical character. The staircase would therefore need to strike a balance between two architectural styles, but we have not yet been able to find a resolution on the ideal compromise.”
You mentioned another piece of artwork near the metro station worth seeing. What is it?
“Yes, I’d like to highlight a work created during the construction of the station, designed by the renowned artist Stanislav Kolíbal. This piece is the retaining wall located below the terrace of the Congress Centre. Its abstract crystalline-like forms are intended to evoke family themes. The original plan was for an artist to create a sculpture depicting a family, but Stanislav Kolíbal had other plans. He took a modern and imposing twist to the wall, combining plastic arts with architecture to produce a stunning final result.”
Did You Know?
Following the Velvet Revolution in 1990, Prague City Council voted to rename twelve metro stations with names invoking Communist regime ideological associations. Metro stations named after Lenin, Gottwald, Moscow, Cosmonauts, Amitié, and Jeunesse were among those rebranded. The stations’ new names reflect the districts in which they are located, with names like Dejvická, Vyšehrad, Anděl, Háje, Opatov, and Pankrác.
However, ‘I.P. Pavlova’ metro station, named after the Russian scientist Ivan Pavlov, retained its original name. This is likely due to the fact that Pavlov, a scientist and 1904 Nobel Prize winner, was known for his outspoken criticism of Communism. This appears to have taken precedence over his Russian nationality. As a result, the station known by locals as ‘Ípák’ escaped the fate that befell other stations in the Prague network...
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