Kampa (also
Na Kampě) is an
island in the
Vltava river in central
Prague on the side of Malá Strana.
Charles Bridge crosses its northern tip and is connected to the island by the street ulice Na Kampě. It is separated from Malá Strana by a narrow artificial channel to the west called the
Devil's Stream (Čertovka), a waterway dug to power water mills (no longer existent). It is supposedly named after a sharp-tongued woman who lived in a local home called the Seven Devils.
[Levine, Dan. Avant Guide Prague New York: Empire Press Media, 2001.]
The area was named in the 17th century as the campus ("field") by Spanish soldiers who tented here during the Battle of White Mountain.
Museum Kampa
Kampa is home to
Museum Kampa, a modern art gallery showing central European (and in particular
Czechs) work. The pieces are from the private collection of Meda Mládek, wife of
Jan V. Mládek. The museum, which opened in 2003, is housed in
Sova's Mills on the eastern bank of the island. Magdalena Jetelova's huge chair sculpture, situated outside the museum above the river, is a prominent landmark visible from across the Vltava.
In Popular Culture
Several scenes from the opening sequence of were filmed on Kampa Island.
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