What's in a Prague street name

Veslařský ostrov was first mentioned in 1420.

A ‘veslař’ is a rower or oarsman; an ‘ostrov’ is an island.

Around here, the riverbed of the Vltava used to get blocked by ice; sand accumulated as a result and, ultimately, this island was formed.

The noble Schwarzenberg family set up a raft port and warehouse here; the aim of the warehouse was to store timber which had originally come from the Šumava mountains (see https://whatsinapraguestreetname.com/2024/01/31/prague-2-day-26-sumavska/).

When rafting became less important, the island became something of a sports centre; it has clubhouses, shipyards and other sports facilities for rowing.