One month ago, while visiting some friends in Prague, we ended experiencing what has been the hottest day the history of the city. For being more precise, we should say, it was the day (2012-08-20) where the highest temperature measured with scientific instruments has been recorded. The fact can be checked in the wikipedia entry “list of weather records.” The thermostat went up to 40.4 °C (104.7 °F) and the city seemed to be melting. The news highlighted the heat in several printed and tv reports, and although no fatal consequences were mentioned, lots of people in the streets, buses, and trams showcased an intense red in their skins. Fortunately for us and for the some other inhabitants, we were able to cool down in the freezing waters of the Divoká Šárka public swimming pool about 20 minutes from downtown.
The pool (koupaliste in Czech) is located in the middle of the Divoká Šárka park and natural reserve on the northwestern outskirts of Prague. Using public transportation it is very easy to get there. There is a bus that drops you right next to the entrance of the park.
I was delighted to find out such a different kind of landscape inside the city limits. I like to experience such kinds of dramatic contrasts. As we entered the park we immersed in the calm atmosphere of long threes and rocky hills, and walked along a fresh stream, that ended being one of the sources of water for the pool.
After a pleasant and bucolic walk through the park we saw the pool at the distance, in an open space surrounded by trees and a huge rocky mountain (the Dívčí Skok rock).
At the entrance of the pool we had to buy a ticket for CZK 40 ($2 US). And I was surprised by a device at the main gate that showed some information about body temperature.
I didn’t understand very well what does this device could mean until I entered the pool. The temperature inside was freezing. Super cold. Like water taking out of a refrigerator. Lots of people, from all ages, were swimming, playing with balls, chatting, and playing inside the pool despite the gelid waters. I swam a little bit but then I just could jump trying to become use to the temperature. It was refreshing indeed after supporting 40 degrees during a whole day, but after 20 minutes inside the pool we were starting to freeze. Fortunately, the pool area was also very nice, and had spaces for playing ping pong, volley, and siting down. We were able to take a the last bits of sun light while napping and then do one final immersion into the ice waters.
In our way out of the park, we joined a crowd of refreshed citizens who seemed to have returned to their normal skin colors. It was the hottest day in the history of Prague and we survived. I had to say that for me, after having spent summer months in Austin, TX, this hottest day was just what an everyday could be in the wild south west.
