Letenské sady in Prague

In addition to lots of greenery, trees and paths Letenské sady have several dominants. The main one is the large Metronome from the sculptor Vratislav Karel Novák, which was built here shortly after the Velvet Revolution in 1991. It stands in the central place of orchards, where a 65-meter-high monument to dictator J. V. Stalin was built in the 1950s. The giant sculpture was the largest of its kind in Europe, but when Stalin's crimes came to light, the monument was blown up in 1962. And so today, in its place, the metronome counts down the time. It is a place where young people meet, from where there is a beautiful view and at the same time the fastest way to the Old Town.

Pavilion Expo 58

In the eastern part of the orchards stands the modern, simple and elegant Pavilion Expo 1958, originally a pavilion at the Brussels World's Fair, where it won the highest award "Golden Star". For the great success of the entire Czechoslovak participation in Expo 58, the pavilion was moved to Prague and rebuilt in Letenské sady. In the first years, there was a restaurant with a beautiful view of the Vltava, the Old and New Town. Today, unfortunately, it is inaccessible to the public, but the exteriors and especially the view can still be admired.

Letna chateau

Another important point is the Letna chateau, which was built in 1863 in the eastern part by the architect Ignác Ullmann. The Italian-style suburban villa-style complex still serves as a restaurant. The recently well-renovated building has two restaurants, a café, stylish lounges and a large garden with a gazebo. In the immediate vicinity of the chateau stands a historical rarity - an over 100-year-old floor carousel from 1891. The western part of the park is adorned by the Hanava Pavilion, which now also serves as a restaurant. It was built on the occasion of the provincial jubilee exhibition.
The public Letna Park was established in the second half of the 19th century according to a project by B. Wünscher and J. Braul. The name is derived from the word Leteň, which means in english Sunny Hill and is still the largest undeveloped green area in Prague, where 150,000 trees have been planted. In history, however, the plain, due to its strategic location, served as a gathering place and camp for troops, and various celebrations took place here, such as the coronation of the famous Czech king Přemysl Otakar II. in 1261.

Metronome

The time machine at Letná, known as the Metronome or Pendulum, counts down time in Letná Park on the left bank of Edvard Beneš, right above the entrance of the Čechův bridge.

The infamous memorial of dictator J. V. Stalin, which used to mockingly be called a “queue for meat”, stood in this place from 1955 to 1962. Its value amounted to 140 million crowns, for which you could buy 42 thousand cars at that time. It only lasted seven years and was destroyed in November 1962, with difficulty, and in three stages. The Metronome, created by Vratislav Karel Novák, a sculptor and professor at the Academy of Arts, Architecture and Design in Prague, was installed there in 1991. Even though it resembles the famous Mälzel’s metronome with a reverse pendulum – an important aid to musicians, its mechanical design is completely different.

The Metronome, called the “Time Machine” by the author, is almost 25 metres high and weighs 7 tonnes. It could not be installed by crane due to worries that the pedestal static may be damaged after the Stalin memorial was destroyed. Therefore, it was put in place by a huge helicopter. It is a mystery why the Metronome is sometimes swinging and sometimes not. The place below the Metronome is especially popular among young people. In-line skaters and skateboarders like to train there. Behind the installation you will find a park popular among Prague residents, and on the edge of the park, the interesting National Technical Museum.