PHOTOS: Celebrating 25 Years of the Žižkov Television Tower

Love it or hate it, Prague simply wouldn’t be Prague without this hulking, baby-infested monolith adorning its skyline

Expats.cz Staff Jason Pirodsky

Written by Expats.cz StaffJason Pirodsky Published on 21.02.2017 11:56:51 (updated on 21.02.2017) Reading time: 1 minute

The Žižkov Television Tower, an unconventionally shaped transmitter tower built between 1985 and 1992 with some 12,000 tons of concrete and steel, opened its panoramic terrace to the public on February 17, 1992.

A distinct modern feature of the ancient Prague skyline, it has always aroused strong feelings of love—especially from Žižkov locals—and hate: the tower is repeatedly named among the ugliest structures in the world.

In 2000, David Černý’s crawling baby sculptures were added to the pillars of the tower; they became a permanent installation in 2001.

It is rumoured that the communist-era monolith was built to jam incoming radio transmissions from the West, today, however, it’s grabbing headlines mainly for its unique one-room hotel, located in a reconstructed cabin of the tower, 230 feet high, with panoramic views of Prague.

These pictures show the controversial Prague landmark through the years; share yours on our Facebook page.

Photo: Flickr / @SzczepanJanus
Photo: Flickr / @SzczepanJanus

Photo: Wikimedia / Chmee2
Photo: Wikimedia / Chmee2

Photo: Flickr / @tomdoel
Photo: Flickr / @tomdoel

Photo: Andy Hunt
Photo: Andy Hunt

Photo: Facebook /TowerParkPraha
Photo: Facebook /TowerParkPraha

Photo: Facebook /TowerParkPraha
Photo: Facebook /TowerParkPraha

Photo: Flickr / @ianbritton
Photo: Flickr / @ianbritton

Flickr: Szczepan Janus
Flickr: Szczepan Janus

Photo: Facebook /TowerParkPraha
Photo: Facebook /TowerParkPraha

Photo: Facebook /TowerParkPraha
Photo: Facebook /TowerParkPraha

Photo: Facebook /TowerParkPraha
Photo: Facebook /TowerParkPraha

Photo: Wikimedia / @SjU
Photo: Wikimedia / @SjU

Photo: Wikimedia / @BenSkala
Photo: Wikimedia / @BenSkala

Photo: Wikimedia / @SjU
Photo: Wikimedia / @SjU

Photo: Wikimedia / @SjU
Photo: Wikimedia / @SjU

Photo: Wikimedia / @DavidSedlecky
Photo: Wikimedia / @DavidSedlecky

Photo: Wikimedia / Akrton
Photo: Wikimedia / Akrton

Wikimedia / Huhulenik
Wikimedia / Huhulenik

Photo: Flickr / @Josh
Photo: Flickr / @Josh

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