For the 15th time, hardy ice swimmers will take the plunge into the cold currents of the Vltava on Three Kings Day. The tradition attracts not only sports enthusiasts but also admirers of the historic sites around the Charles Bridge.
On Tuesday, 6 January 2026, at 12:00, members of the České otužilecké unie (Czech Ice Swimmers’ Union) will dive into the icy waters of the Vltava from Vodouch-type vessels. The course begins beneath the Charles Bridge and leads the swimmers to the hidden underground harbour of Judita, dating back to the 12th century.
The event is as much a social gathering and a celebration of living city history as it is a sporting challenge. The ice swimmers plunge into the water near the fifth pillar of the Charles Bridge – exactly where, according to legend, Saint John of Nepomuk was thrown into the Vltava. The route spans approximately 200 metres and concludes at the Pražské Benátky landing beneath Křížovnické Square.
The Tradition of the Prague Three Kings Day Swim
The tradition began in 2010, when the Czech Ice Swimmers’ Union and the Charles Bridge Museum organised the event for the first time. From the outset, the emphasis has been not on competition but on bringing ice swimmers together while honouring historic sites and events along the Vltava.
Saint John of Nepomuk is the patron saint of bridges, fishermen, millers, swimmers, and all water-related trades. The Judith Bridge was the first stone bridge in the Kingdom of Bohemia, with 20 arches and a length of around 500 metres. It was destroyed in a major flood in 1342 and replaced by a new stone bridge, later known as the Charles Bridge.
Event Schedule:
- 11:45 – Photo session of participants in front of the Charles Bridge Museum
- 12:00 – Departure of boats with ice swimmers
- 12:30 – Arrival of swimmers at the landing at the Charles Bridge
- 13:30 – Ceremonial presentation of diplomas
From 10:00 to 14:00, the Charles Bridge Museum will be closed.
Pražské Benátky (ENG)
Charles Bridge Museum (ENG)
