Czech timber rafting on the UNESCO List

On Thursday, December 1st, Czech timber rafting has been added to the UNESCO list. Five other European countries, including neighbouring Austria, Germany, and Poland, as well as Latvia and Spain, had jointly applied for the listing.

The ancient and really unique tradition of timber rafting on the Vltava, the longest Czech river, dates back to the 11th century. In the past, goods such as salt, honey, and the world-famous Budweiser beer were also transported this way. Thanks to enthusiasts, you can experience this method of transport even today!

Although you will no longer be able to break the record to cruise from České Budějovice to Prague which took 45 hrs in favorable weather conditions (mainly because of the dams on Vltava river), you can still experience many adventures on the timber raft and enjoy the beautiful landscape of South Bohemia.

Did you know?

Trees for timber raft making were cut down from December to February.
The tying of the logs into timber rafts usually began in late March and took experienced rafters three days.
Good rafter could raft twenty to twenty-five convoys in a season.
The timber raft convoy was operated by up to seven helpers and was controlled by a "porter", a captain who had to know the river by heart.
The best rafters were able to make the long journey to Hamburg.
The timber transported in the water was stronger in tensile strength and more resistant to pests.