Černý Most

For the Prague Metro station of the same name, see Černý Most (Prague Metro).

File:ČM od Dolních Počernic1.jpg

View of Černý Most from Dolní Počernice

Černý Most is a large panel housing estate in the north-east of Prague, belonging to Prague 14. At the end of 2013 it was home to 22,355 residents. Aside from the residential complexes, the area is also home to a large shopping park with the same name.

History

The area, whose name means "black bridge" in English, was named after a stone bridge over the nearby railway line from Prague to Čelákovice, which was turned "black" by the smoke from passing steam locomotives. The area was newly formed from parts of the former suburbs of Hloubětín, Kyje and Horní Počernice in 1987. It became a part of Prague on January 1, 1988.

The housing estate was built during the late 1970s and the 1980s in several stages. The first section, sídliště Černý Most I, was completed in 1980 and comprised 1,780 flats. The second section, sídliště Černý Most II, was started in 1985 under the communist state, but not completed until 1992 after the Velvet Revolution. The streets were originally intended to be named after communist officials (mostly from the Soviet Union), but were instead named after Czechoslovak airmen who fought in the RAF and French Air Force during World War II.

Today

The estate is served by the last two Prague Metro stations on Line B, Rajská zahrada and Černý Most, the latter of which is adjacent to a large intercity bus station. Two smaller Park and ride facilities are located in a proximity of both metro stations. The newly reconstructed shopping center "Centrum Černý Most" can also be found there.

In popular culture

Parts of the film Babí léto (2001) were filmed in Černý Most.