Stalin Monument (Prague)
Stalin Monument | |
---|---|
Czech: Stalinův pomník | |
Artist | Otakar Švec |
Completion date | May 1, 1955 |
Type | Sculpture |
Medium | granite |
Subject | Joseph Stalin |
Condition | Demolished November 6, 1962 |
Location | Prague, Czech Republic |
50°05′41.38″N 14°24′57.97″E / 50.0948278°N 14.4161028°E |
Stalin's Monument (
History
The monument was located on a huge concrete pedestal, which can still be visited in Letná Park. It was the largest group statue in Europe, measuring 15.5 m (51 ft) high and 22 m (72 ft) long. The sculptor was Otakar Švec, who killed himself a few days before the unveiling.[1][2]
The process of
Later use of site
In 1990,
A green plaque below the metronome reads:
Metronome
Letenské sady
The Metronome, the work of sculptor Vratislav Karel Novák , was erected in 1991 atop the massive stone plinth that originally served as the base for the monument to Soviet leader Josef Vissarionovich Stalin. Work began on Prague's Stalin monument towards the end of 1949, and in May 1955, it was finally unveiled. The largest group sculpture in Europe during its existence, the monument had a reinforced-concrete structure faced with 235 granite blocks, weighing 17,000 tonnes and costing 140 million crowns to complete. The gigantic composition, by sculptor Otakar Švec and the architects Jiří and Vlasta [his wife] Štursa, did not tower for long over the medieval centre of Prague: in connection with Soviet criticism of Stalin's "cult of personality," the work was dynamited and removed towards the end of 1962.
The City of Prague has been considering several options for redevelopment of the site for years, including a plan to build an aquarium.[3] The remaining socle is a popular meeting point for skateboarders and other people.[4]
See also
References
- ^ a b c Asiedu, Dita (3 May 2005). "World's biggest Stalin monument would have turned 50 on May Day". Radio Prague. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
- ^ a b c d Stalin statue site reveals chilling remains of Prague labour camp, The Guardian (28 March 2020)
- ^ "An exercise in futility". The Prague Post. 19 December 2007. Archived from the original on 16 December 2013. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
- ^ Letná Park (praha7.cz)