The TV tower in Prague is the futuristic pride of the Czech Republic. Žižkov TV Tower - babies at the cosmodrome History of Žižkov TV Tower
The Žižkov Television Tower in Prague is an active television station in the city and a tourist attraction, around which there have been a lot of dark legends and controversial rumors since its appearance.
Babies made of cast iron, trampled Jewish bones, increased electromagnetic radiation - no matter what scares our brother tourists, but we still want to look at Prague from a bird's eye view, because the spectacle is worth it!
TV tower, which is called in Czech Žižkovský vysílač and is the main part of the complex Tower Park Praha, is not included in popular tourist routes. However, it can be seen from almost anywhere in Prague.
High level of... contradictions
The entire structure, made of glass, concrete, metal and God knows what else, looks like a rocket. It consists of 3 pillars, united by observation platforms. For 20 years now, since the appearance of the tower, the natives have not been able to come to a common denominator in assessing this futuristic structure. Some people like the tower in Zizkov, others cannot stand it, calling it “an ugly socialist misunderstanding.” The creation of Václav Aulický, despite the negative, has become a real new symbol of Prague and a fashionable place for young people.
The TV tower in Prague is visible from everywhere - literally, from any city. And not everyone is happy about this.
To get to the very top and see with your own eyes the red roofs of Prague and the wonderful landscapes from above, you need to overcome 93 meters. It is at this height that the observation deck is located.
And the height of the tower together with the spire is 216 meters. There are no higher buildings in the Czech Republic. By the way, by world standards, this is not so much for a tower. The weight of the structure is almost 12 thousand tons.
Babies are crawling...
If climbing stairs is not your thing, you can use the high-speed elevator, which takes tourists to three observation rooms and a cafe in just 20 seconds.
The elevator has already brought someone to the fourth floor.
Just for fun, you can try crawling onto the TV tower like “Babies” David Black (David Černý), however, this method of lifting is unlikely to be approved by the security of the television center. This scandalous sculptor breeds ambiguity throughout the Czech capital. Statues by him can be found in parks, streets and avenues of Prague. So they took root on the TV tower. And, unlike the television center itself, they evoke exclusively positive emotions among the native Prague residents.
In the first year, during the winter season, faceless babies were taken down from a height, fearing that under the weight of snow they would bombard the area under the tower. But then the author of the sculptures found sponsors who helped secure the “children” on a vertical surface. By the way, a favorite pastime of tourists is counting “babies,” because this information is rarely found in guidebooks.
Now you too will be puzzled by the question - how many babies are there, really? An Internet search today does not provide a direct answer to this question. Probably they don’t want to reveal the secret. But we will definitely tell you everything - at the end of this article.
Why don't Prague residents like the TV tower?
There are at least three reasons.
1. The Žižkov TV Tower is unusual in shape. There is no smell of classics here, much less baroque style. The structure resembles a launch complex at a cosmodrome and sharply contrasts with the architectural ensembles of Prague. Perhaps that is why the tower has so many enemies among the Prague residents. They even joke: “In Prague, you should definitely climb the TV tower, because this is the only place from where you can’t see it!”
2. The second version of dislike is this: they don’t like the tower due to its location, because she stands on bones. Indeed, there has been a Jewish cemetery here since the 18th century. There were a number of graves under the TV tower at the time of its construction. Radical residents of Prague call construction on the site of a graveyard sacrilege and unanimously dislike the erected structure. By the way, the cemetery still exists - it is located right next to residential buildings, and such proximity does not bother anyone.
3. They do not add popularity to the TV tower and are very high prices for the entrance to the viewing room, the size of the average check in the restaurant there and a paid telescope.
The sights and sounds of Prague TV Tower: Observation Deck
There are not many visitors to the tower. Crowds at the ticket office and at the telescope are excluded. You can always sit in cozy hanging cradles on the observation deck and look at the impressive landscapes of the Czech Republic without fuss, while listening to the sounds of the city. “Orloj”, the bells of St. Vitus Cathedral, the rustle of the Vltava waters and the noise of the metro will help create a complete image of the capital of the Czech Republic. To remember this wonderful place, you can buy a coin from the souvenir machine.
At night the tower is illuminated. Most often she shines.
Restaurant on the tower and bar "Oblaka"
The appearance and interior decoration of the tower are reminiscent of 60s science fiction. For example, the reception desk is shaped like a huge glass ball with legs. And the high-rise restaurant (66 meters above the city) and the Oblaka bar are the most fashionable establishments in Prague. The prices here are quite high.
A spiral staircase leads up from the restaurant. Climbing its steps, you can get acquainted with the towers of dozens of countries around the world. Each tower, its location and height are engraved on a separate step. But the Prague residents did not find a place for the Russian Ostankino Tower. This staircase leads to the hotel.
Hotel with 6 (!) stars
There is a meteorological laboratory and a unique luxury hotel with 6 stars on the Žižkov Tower. The only room with huge panoramic windows is loved by newlyweds. And although the cost of the pleasure is 30 thousand crowns, there are always those willing. The hotel's furnishings are made in high-tech style. Here you can admire Prague from a height of 70 meters even from the bathroom.
How to get to the "ugliest tower"?
The Žižkov Tower is visible from afar, but getting to it is not easy. If you are not by car, you will have to walk a couple more blocks from any transport. From the Jiřího z Poděbrad metro station to the tower you need to walk to the northeast.
Just in case, the exact address is: Mahlerovy sady 1, 130 00 Praha 3.
Trams 5, 9 and 26 will take you to the Lipanská stop, and from there there is also a walking race. Here we are!
Žižkov TV Tower is one of the recognizable symbols of Prague. Built in 1985-1992, the Žižkov TV Tower is the tallest building in the Czech Republic, with a height of 216 meters. At an altitude of 66 meters there is a restaurant, at 93 meters there is an observation deck from where an excellent panorama of Prague opens. The tower is also an active television center.
The Prague Television Tower is a member of the World Federation of High-Rise Towers and is the 25th tallest tower. For comparison, the Russian Ostankino Tower is third on this list.
Observation deck in the Prague TV tower, tickets in 2020
An entrance ticket to the observation deck of the Žižkov TV Tower costs 250 CZK for an adult (about 10 euros), 160 CZK for a child from 3 to 14 years old (6.5 EUR), 180 CZK (7 EUR) for schoolchildren and students from 14 to 26 years. A family ticket, which includes 2 adults and 3 children, costs CZK 590 (EUR 30).
At the foot of the TV tower, in the TowerParkPraha park, there is another restaurant - Miminoo, you can reserve a table by phone +420 210 320 140 . .
In addition, there is a luxurious six-star(!) hotel in the TV tower One room, which has only one number. From every point in the room, even from the bathroom, there is a stunning panoramic view of Prague below. Spending one night here costs from 575 euros, on other days the price reaches 850 euros. Despite the high price, the hotel is popular among newlyweds and couples in love. .
History of the Žižkov TV Tower
The Prague Television Tower was built in 1985-1992 according to the design of the architect Vaclav Aulicki. The architecture of the tower consists of three high concrete pillars, on which cubes-observation platforms seem to hang: in the three lower ones there is a restaurant, in the next - three observation platforms with a 360-degree view. At the last level there is relay equipment - the TV tower is operational. Opponents of the tower are dissatisfied, firstly, with its appearance, which does not suit the surrounding area at all, and secondly, with the fact that an old Jewish cemetery was partially destroyed for its construction.
The tower received its name from the Zizkov district in which it is located. It has been recognized many times as both an architectural monument, a cultural heritage and one of the main attractions of Prague, and as the ugliest building in the city, or even one of the ugliest buildings in the world, which spoils the panorama of the Czech capital with its appearance. There is still no consensus on this matter among tourists and the residents of Prague themselves - some people like the tower, but others don’t at all.
From 2000 to this day, the tower has been decorated with the sculptural composition “Babies” by the famous Polish postmodernist sculptor David Czerny (or Cerny, Czech: David Černý), who became famous for his provocative, even scandalous, but at the same time ironic works. Babies have no faces - this is how the artist expressed his protest against abortion. The babies not only decorate the tower's trunk, but also balance the structure - each of them weighs more than half a ton, and the sculptor personally chose where to place each sculpture.
The faceless babies are removed from the tower for maintenance from time to time, so sometimes they may not be found. Once they wanted to remove them completely, but the residents of Prague loved them so much, largely due to the fact that thanks to them the building, reminiscent of socialist times, turned into a modern one, that in the end they left the little ones, only by improving the fastenings.
How to get to Žižkov TV Tower in Prague
There is no metro or public transport stops directly next to the tower, so be prepared to walk a bit.
The easiest way is to take the metro on the green line to the Jiřího z Poděbrad station, from which it takes 5 minutes to walk to the Žiřího TV Tower.
You can take tram routes 11, 13 to the stop of the same name Jiřího z Poděbrad, from there it is also only a 5-minute walk.
Alternatively, you can take a taxi: either the regular services, the Uber app, which is quite common in Europe, or the Prague taxi app Modry Andel.
Video about Žižkov TV Tower in Prague
Hello, friends! This object will be of interest to fans of modern architecture - the TV tower in Prague, which is the tallest building in the Czech Republic, is included in the Federation of Tall Towers of the World. The Czech television tower is unique in its design. Compare other relay facilities around the world and you will agree that they have more similarities than differences. The Prague Tower clearly stands out for its design:
This originality has given rise to a lot of controversy around. Critics were as sophisticated as they could... And “the ugliest building”, and “Žižkov’s finger”, and “an ugly building that disturbs the panorama of Prague” - all these are unflattering descriptions of the modern project of the Czech capital.
I completely disagree with the critics. Personally, I am impressed by the original design of the tower. It rises away from the center of Prague and does not at all suppress historical architectural objects. And I agree with other reviews when the TV tower is compared to a rocket taking off. Here it is, starting over the city:
Is there really a resemblance to a rocket? This photo was taken from an observation deck, but the Žižkov Tower in Prague is visible from almost everywhere. So, why Zizkovskaya? By location. The television tower is located in, next to Vinohrady.
I will provide more details about this modern facility:
- About the tower design
- About what you can visit in the Žižkov Tower
- Address and how to get there
Construction of the Žižkov television tower
To come up with something new given the known variety of architectural forms, in my opinion, is not an easy task. But the Czech architect Vaclav Aulicki coped with this. The television tower in Žižkov was built according to his design in 1985-1992. engineers Jiri Kozak and Alex Bem.
A tower 216 m high “grew” in the park in the form of three large pillars connected by platforms that look like cabins:
Actually, the height of the pillars is 134 meters, but one of them, which is larger in diameter, is extended by an antenna. All this was built for the sake of the antenna. In Prague, there was a need to move to a new level of television and radio broadcasts, which the Petřín Tower could not cope with.
From the very beginning of construction, battles broke out around the tower: they are building in the wrong place, and in the wrong place... The construction site was chosen next to an ancient cemetery. To begin the construction of the tower, the first step was to lay the foundation at a depth of 15 m in the form of a reinforced concrete slab 4 meters thick and 30 meters in diameter.
During the work, they came across the remains of burials, which caused a storm of public indignation. But, if you think about it, in a city that is more than a thousand years old, you can’t dig anywhere at all... It’s good if they find it, but there is a much greater likelihood of other finds.
Before they had time to defend the right to the location of the Žižkov TV tower, other claims arose. We were concerned about the electromagnetic load on the environment. A specially created commission began to study the level of maximum load and came to the conclusion that it was several times lower than permissible, therefore eliminating the risk of negative impact.
Construction of the tower was completed in 1992, and in 2000 it was decided to decorate the structure with “Babies” sculptures. The sculptor, known for his shocking ideas, made bronze babies, 10 of which were attached to the tower:
This is what the layout of the sculptures looks like on the model. They are attached to the tower in exactly the same order. It is only from bottom up or from afar that they are more difficult to view. There is still a convenient way to see and even touch babies. Three babies are installed on Kampa Island next to the Museum of Modern Art. There they are exhibited as a monument to unborn children.
On the tower, the sculptures are concentrated in the area of the cabins, which house a restaurant, bar, hotel and observation deck. On the layout you can see everything in detail:
What to visit in Žižkov TV Tower
A hotel in a TV tower is a big word. There is only one room at an altitude of 70 m, for which guests pay an exorbitant price. However, they say that there are people interested. Basically, these are newlyweds. Well, who else is ready to fork out so much for romance?)))
What is interesting to visit is the observation deck, which is called the observatory. The pleasure is also not free. Entrance fees to the tower for adults, students and children are 200, 140 and 120 CZK respectively.
The theater starts from the coat rack, and the Žižkov TV Tower from the reception)) And although this reception is not designed for ordinary visitors, the atmosphere is very inviting:
Probably the newlyweds are about to arrive at the hotel))
Observatory
Visitors, having purchased tickets, proceed to the elevator and fly up to a height of 93 meters. There is no other way to tell how they take off - the elevator cabin moves at a speed of 4 m/s.
From the elevator platform you can enter three halls-cabins, which are located in a circle, and where you can explore Prague and the surrounding area in all directions. From this point you can clearly see not only the city below, but also the neighboring cabin:
The halls are equipped with airy chairs that perfectly match the high-altitude observation deck:
In good weather, the view from the tower opens up to 100 km. Take a closer look at this photo. Approximately in the center near the horizon line you can see the towers of St. Vitus Cathedral at Prague Castle:
The nearby districts of Vinohrady and Žižkov are visible from literally every courtyard. The green ship crashes into the panorama of residential areas:
And here are views of modern Prague. Notice how green the capital of the Czech Republic is. Prague is called the hundred-towered city, but in addition to the towers, it has many parks and gardens:
The panoramas, of course, from such a height are wonderful. If it provides an excellent overview of Prague, then from the height of the Žižkov Tower you can see more distant surroundings and mountains on the horizon.
Bar Clouds
After viewing Prague from each cabin and relaxing in space-design chairs, you can also look into the Oblaka bar, which is located below, at a 66-meter altitude:
In the center of the bar there is an interesting spiral staircase that leads up to the hotel room:
What is interesting about this staircase is that on each step there is engraved the name of an object from the list of high-rise towers, which includes the Žižkov Tower. There were not enough steps for all objects, but there were about two dozen.
And here’s greetings from “Oblaki”:
Next to the bar is a cabin on the same level - Oblaka restaurant. In general, if someone is tired of ground-based restaurants in Prague, there is an opportunity to diversify their lunches and dinners at a 66-meter altitude. Clouds work until midnight. Prices correspond to the name))
Such a complex was created in the Zizkov TV tower. However, the Czechs are not original in this. Almost every television tower in the world has an observation deck and bars and restaurants - rotating or static.
How to get to the Žižkov Tower
The tower is located at Mahlerovy sady 1. It is convenient to get there by metro on the green line, station - Jiřího z Poděbrad.
Due to the height of the object, you will see it immediately at the exit from the metro. You will have to walk a little, but this is for the best - look at the tower in its entire height. The road passes by the original one. With a huge number of cathedrals in Prague, this temple stands out for its style.
Young people like to visit the Žižkova TV Tower. Lounge bar Oblaca attracts with its atmosphere. It’s not difficult to imagine what fantastic views open up from above over evening Prague. Should tourists visit? If you come to Prague for two or three days, you will hardly have time for the TV tower. Well, if you stay in the Czech Republic longer, then it all depends on your interests...
Your euro guide Tatyana
When traveling around Prague, hardly anyone denies themselves the pleasure of admiring its red roofs from one of a dozen observation platforms. Žižkovský vysílač is the tallest building in Prague, and debates about its beauty or ugliness have not subsided since its construction (1985-1992) to this day.
The TV tower is used for its intended purpose, and is also part of the Tower Park Praha complex, which combines an observation deck at an altitude of 93 meters, the Oblaca restaurant at an altitude of 66 meters and a park in which the Miminoo Garden Restaurant and golf course are located.
The tower is a local landmark and very popular among tourists. The height of the tower is 216 meters.
The tower was erected in Žižkov, a district of Prague that received its name due to the victory of the Hussites over an army of thousands of crusaders. The commander of the Hussite army was the fearless and desperate Jan Zizka.
We lived within walking distance of the Žižkov TV Tower, so we couldn’t help but go up. And in general, I liked the Zizkov district itself, there is also something to see there, it’s beautiful, clean, and there are a lot of bars with low prices!
The information is current as of January 2018:
Sight: Tower Park Praha
Address: Mahlerovy sady 1, Prague 3, 130 00
Nearest metro station: Jiřího z Poděbrad
Operating mode: daily from 09:00 to 00:00
Observation deck height: 93 meters
Cost of visit: 2 50.00 Kč (670 rub.) per adult,160 Kč (430 rubles) for a child over 3 years old. If I'm not mistaken, there are also family rates.
Tickets can be purchased online on the official website or in person at the registration desk. We purchased tickets at a discount from Booking because we booked apartments through them, so we saved more than a hundred rubles on each ticket. At the counter you can pay in cash or by credit card.
As for the appearance of the tower, according to the Internet, local residents are not happy with it. Personally, it seems quite unusual to me, but it definitely doesn’t fit into the overall picture of Prague. However, I don't think she's ugly.
At night the tower is illuminated in the colors of the Czech flag.
To get to the observation deck, you need to take the high-speed elevator to the 4th floor. When we were there, there were enough people, but no one bothered anyone, we could easily take photographs. Some are filming, others are relaxing in hanging transparent chairs. But, as it seemed to me, there is nothing special to do there, 10-15 minutes is enough, so people don’t gather.
In the center of the tower there is a seating area and a projection of Prague on the wall. I was more interested in the view of the real city, so I didn’t even look at what was broadcast on the wall.
You can also see a smaller copy of the television tower inside. “Babies” by sculptor David Cherny crawl along the surface of the tower in different directions. There is no movement in the literal sense, of course, just set figures. To be honest, I considered myself very inattentive, because I myself saw the babies only on the Internet, after visiting the tower. Later, looking through the photographs, my husband and I still did not find a single baby, and we read somewhere on the Internet that they were supposed to be removed for restoration in the fall. I have not found official confirmation of this, but most likely it is so. Well, we couldn’t help but notice them! We walked past the tower for three days!
This is the view from the observation deck:
But I won’t lie, I added a little brightness to the photo, since the day was not yet sunny, and the cloudy glass spoils the picture a little. It looks dirty and scratched, like plastic. It was not always possible to take normal photographs through it - sometimes it’s gray, sometimes there’s glare. It is precisely because of the glass that I do not want to recommend the observation deck in the Žižkov Tower, it really spoils the view. Although many people write on the forums that they take great pictures from there.
Of course, Prague is beautiful no matter how you look at it! Only for some reason I experienced greater delight in other places than when visiting the Zizkov TV tower.
The fact that this tower is the highest place in Prague is certainly attractive. But I wouldn’t go there again if they offered it to me, especially for 250 CZK. The walls of Prague Castle also offer a good view of the city and rooftops, although not from a height of 93 meters. And judging by the photographs on the Internet, from the Powder Tower and from some others where there are sites, the view is no worse, and the cost is lower.
It might make sense to go to the restaurant on the 3rd floor, but I haven't been there, so I can't say anything. I don’t recommend the observation deck at the Žižkov TV Tower in particular!
There are many architectural monuments located in Prague. Each of them carries the historical significance of one of the ancient cities of Europe. But the Žižkov TV Tower, despite its “young” age, attracts the attention of many tourists, and is an adornment of one of the ancient cities of Europe.
What is located on the territory of the tower Offices Museum Restaurant Observation deck Hotel
Description
The tower was built in 1992 according to the design of the architect Vaclavo Aulicki. It consists of concrete, glass and metal, the structure of three pillars and three observation platforms resemble a huge spaceship.
Once completed, the tower divided local residents into pros and cons. Some people did not like the new architectural structure; this decision was reinforced by the fact that it was located on the site of an old Jewish cemetery. But there were also those who were happy with the new building, because the tower not only introduced some kind of innovation, but also provided an opportunity to admire the city from a bird's eye view, since it is the tallest building in the Czech Republic.
The Žižkov Tower is part of the Tower Park Prague complex and at the same time serves as the city's television center. In the daytime, it is like an anchor that attracts numerous residents and curious tourists into its “embraces.” At dusk, the tower is illuminated in the colors of the Czech flag and takes on a futuristic appearance.
Decorations of the Žižkov TV Tower or giant babies
The huge structure had perhaps one drawback - for all its height, it was inconspicuous in appearance. Sculptor David Cherny was tasked with correcting this misunderstanding. So in 2000, sculptures of 10 black babies appeared along the outer perimeter of the structure.
If you look from the bottom up, you get the impression that the kids are crawling on the very edge of the entire structure. There is a reason for such a strange arrangement of sculptures, because they serve not only as decoration, but also balance the entire structure. The sculptor himself personally calculated their location, thereby not only strengthening the entire structure, but also adding a decorative element to it.
Observation deck
One of the main places on the territory of the tower is the observation deck. It is located at an altitude of 93 meters. The most convenient way to get to it is by high-speed elevator. In just 20 seconds you will reach the site and be able to enjoy stunning views of the entire area.
Here, for the convenience of visitors, there are cozy armchairs. The interior is furnished in the style of a science-fiction film set. If desired, guests will be able to enjoy the view of the city through a huge telescope, or examine in detail the model of the tower located in the center of the site.
Close to art
For art lovers, there is a gallery on the 4th floor of the tower. It is not permanent, so it is advisable to inform yourself before visiting which exhibition is currently taking place.
Restaurant and best room
On the territory of the tower there is a luxurious restaurant “Oblaka”. It is furnished in high-tech style, so the interior resembles a spaceship. Here everyone can enjoy European cuisine, listen to pleasant music or admire Prague at night.
In Prague, the Žižkov TV Tower is also famous for its luxurious six-star hotel. The peculiarity of this complex is that there is only one room. Cozy apartments are very popular among newlyweds. The highlight of the whole room is the opportunity to admire the ancient city from any place. Even in the bathroom you can see the landscapes of Prague.
