Vltava - Definition and Overview

The Vltava (German: Moldau) is the longest river in the Czech Republic, draining north from its source in Šumava through Český Krumlov, České Budějovice and Prague, merging with the Elbe (Labe) at Mělník. It is 430 kilometers long and drains about 28,000 square kilometers; at the confluence it has actually more water than Labe but joins it in the right angle to its flow so it appears just a tributary.

In August 2002 a 500-year flood of the Vltava killed several people and caused massive damage and disruption along its length.

One of the pieces from the classical Czech composer Bedrich Smetana's set of six symphonic poems, Ma Vlast is called Vltava, and is an evocation of the course the river takes.