Rafting in the Czech Republic is truly an adventure of a lifetime! This unique activity has been included on UNESCO’s List of Intangible Cultural Heritage, giving it a special place in Czech culture. If you’re looking for a thrilling and unforgettable experience, look no further than rafting in the Czech Republic. From the beautiful rivers and landscapes to the rich history and culture, rafting in the Czech Republic will give you an experience that you won’t soon forget. In this blog post, we’ll explore all the reasons why rafting in the Czech Republic is so special and why it’s worth a visit.
What is rafting?
Rafting is an exciting adventure sport that takes place on the water. It’s usually a form of recreational river boating, where groups of people travel on a raft, navigating their way down a river. Often tackling some rapids is also part of the experience. Though not always!
It looks a little different in Czechia than it does in other places I’ve gone down a river in a raft. And that’s because there’s a historical element to Rafting in the Czech Republic that I wasn’t even aware of until I was back in the USA.
Why is rafting in the Czech Republic on UNESCO’s List of Intangible Cultural Heritage?
The Czech Republic is renowned for its amazing river rafting opportunities, and in particular, South Bohemia and Český Krumlov have become popular destinations for rafting enthusiasts. Rafting in South Bohemia offers an unforgettable experience, as rafters navigate their way through the stunning landscapes of this unique area. It’s a great way to explore the diverse wildlife and the incredible nature that the region has to offer. Though that’s a bit vague, right?
Well here’s what I learned from a post shared by Czech Tourism for the USA and Canada.
And I’m quoting them:
The ancient tradition associated with building rafts and floating them on rivers made it to the List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage UNESCO on 1st December, 2022.
Timber rafting got into UNESCO on the basis of a supranational nomination. Under the name “Timber rafting”, it was jointly prepared by six European countries: the Czech Republic, Latvia, Germany, Poland, Austria, Spain, the processing was coordinated by the Polish side. In the Czech Republic, Vltavan Čechy participated in the preparation of the nomination – the Vltavan Association which brings together timber rafting associations on the Vltava River, the National Institute of Folk Culture, the Ministry of Culture and others.
“Czechia now has eight items on UNESCO’s intangible cultural heritage list, for a total of 31 entries in UNESCO. This ranks us, per km2/inhabitant, among the most interesting countries in terms of travel,” says Jan Herget, Director of the Czech Tourism Authority – CzechTourism and adds: “Besides timber rafting registered today, is in UNESCO also the handmade production of beaded Christmas decorations entered in 2020, as well blueprint production, puppetry, falconry, rides of the kings in Slovácko, carnival routes and masks in Hlinecko, and Slovácko´s verbuňk.”
Timber rafting represents the traditional knowledge and skills associated with building timber rafts and navigating them on rivers.
“Timber rafting, which is now a new addition to UNESCO, can be experienced personally, for example in Český Krumlov. Advent cruises on Vltava have their own charm, and if you combine it with a visit to the timber raft museum, for example, you’ll enjoy yourself, but you’ll also learn something new,” says Director of the Department of Product Management and Regional Cooperation of the Czech Tourism Authority – CzechTourism Veronika Janečková.
Although timber navigation as a commercial transport has disappeared due to the dams´ construction, the traditions associated with it are still alive and passed on younger generations. It is not only about the craftsmanship involved in building a timber raft, but also about the knowledge associated with its navigation on the river, and last but not least, about a specific culture associated with this tradition, peculiar customs and timber rafters’ verbal art imprinted in boating songs and boating slang.
Did you know all that about Rafting in the Czech Republic?
I didn’t!! But I love learning new things. And it’s fun to get to experience something in person with no bias. Before returning home to find out there was a significance to the experience that was even deeper than you knew.
How can you go rafting in the Czech Republic?
Rafting in the Czech Republic is an unforgettable adventure on UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage. If you’re looking to experience river rafting in the Czech Republic, look no further than Malecek Rafting in Český Krumlovv. Located in South Bohemia, Malecek Rafting is one of the oldest companies offering this activity and they will take you on a thrilling ride down the Vltava River.
The experienced instructors and guides make sure that safety comes first. They provide all the necessary safety equipment and explain how to use it before your departure. They’ll show you the town from a perspective you can’t get except on their rafts and will safely navigate you down the boat ladders on the side of the rapids.
What should I expect when rafting in the Czech Republic?
Rafting in the Czech Republic is an adventure like no other! River rafting through South Bohemia is officially on UNESCO’s List of Intangible Cultural Heritage, and it’s easy to see why. From the thrilling rapids to the stunning views of Český Krumlov, a day of river rafting in the Czech Republic is sure to be an unforgettable experience.
When you embark on a river rafting journey in the Czech Republic, you can expect plenty of twists and turns. Navigating through winding rivers and rushing rapids gives you a chance to test your courage as you challenge the raging waters. But no matter your skill level, river rafting in the Czech Republic is suitable for all ages and abilities. If you’re a novice rafter, experienced guides are available to show you the ropes and help keep you safe on the water.
After your rafting adventure, take some time to explore the picturesque town of Český Krumlov. It is full of colorful architecture, rich history, fabulous shopping in small boutiques, and delightful cuisine in cozy cafes.
If you’re looking for an adrenaline-filled adventure with a side of sightseeing, then look no further than rafting in the Czech Republic!
In Closing
❤️ I recently returned from the Czech Republic where for several weeks I was able to visit Prague, Brno, and South Bohemia. It was wonderful to get to know the country better. I’d previously only been there for one day. For a day tour during a Viking river cruise. We enjoyed a wonderful day in Český Krumlov but it left me wanting more! This is why I was so glad to get to go back again. So grateful to see far more of the country than just Český Krumlov.
The images in this post were all taken during my rafting adventure with Malecek Rafting down the Vltava! It ended with the promise of a huge storm that created glorious light over the town. It was a great way to see, literally, a different side of the town than I had gotten before. When I visited in the dead of winter. Though, I still loved the town then. I’ve now been in autumn and in winter. So far, there’s been no such thing as a bad time to visit Český Krumlov 😉
Tourism South Bohemia
