What's in a Prague street name

Originally published on X on 13 February 2024.

A provaz is a rope. And, therefore, a provazník is a rope-maker or rope-weaver.

And, to add to the many craftsmen and tradesmen we’ve dealt with recently, rope-weavers set up shop around here, forming their own guild in 1410.

The name of the street can be traced back to 1434, albeit in its much more glamorous Latin form (platea funificum).

For a time in the 15th and 16th centuries, the street was called V Žabovřeskách, because Žabovřesky was the name of a muddy ditch / moat nearby. It’s not so muddy now: https://whatsinapraguestreetname.com/2024/09/22/prague-1-day-137-na-prikope/.

Provaznická is pretty empty, especially for such a central street, but it does feature the backside of Wimmerův palác (more on this – and a better-kept frontside – when we get to Rytířská).

You can also hop onto the metro here if you want. And, to find out why Můstek is called Můstek, tune in tomorrow.