Prague is one of the favorite European cities. It is beautiful, romantic, and filled with history and culture. But one of the best things about Prague is that it is also filled with quirky, unique sculptures and statues. In fact, the capital city of Czech Republic is home to some of the strangest and most famous statues in Europe. So here's a compilation of the strangest Prague statues and where to find them.
Crawling Babies
You can find these giant crawling baby statues in Kampa Park just south of the Charles Bridge, one of the most iconic bridges in Europe. This public art display called Babies was created by sculptor David Černy and installed in 2008.
For a stranger version of Babies head to the Žižkov Television Tower. There you’ll find the same faceless, bronze babies crawling up the side of the tower.
Yellow Penguins
Also located near Kampa Park, a quirky sculpture along the Vltava River may catch your eye. The installment of 34 yellow penguins perched on a metal beam in the river has been in Prague since 2008. Created by the Cracking Art Group, based in Milan, Italy, the penguins are made from recycled plastic bottles.
While some of the strange sculptures in Prague seem meaningless, this one has a strong message and meaning behind it. The intention is to raise awareness of plastic waste and the devastating environmental impacts, like global warming that are destroying the natural and needed environment for Arctic animals like penguins.
The Hanging Man
The same mastermind who created the crawling babies statues also designed this work in Old Town. The statue, called Man Hanging Out, will certainly make you do a double take. You’ll just be walking down the lovely cobblestone street, enjoying a Trdelník and then – Bam! – you glance up and see a guy hanging by one hand off the top of a building. The 7-foot statue of Sigmund Freud can be found at along the street Husova in a busy tourist district.
The Faceless Guy
This is another statue that will creep out all who pass by. Positioned on the side of the street in a busy tourist area, you’ll find Il Commendatore, or as I call it, “the creepy, cloaked, faceless guy”.
The statue sits outside Estates Theater, often referred to as Mozart’s Theater. It is a depiction of the ghost in the opera, Il Commendatore.
Two Guys Peeing
This sculpture is located in Mala Strana, one of the best places to stay in Prague. Also created by David Černy, this statue will definitely make you giggle. It’s called Piss, and it’s easy to see how it got its name. The statue is brilliant yet controversial creation as it depicts two men peeing into the pond in the shape of the Czech Republic.
Their hips move ever so slightly back and forth. The sculpture, which was installed in 2004 also doubles as a fountain. You can only guess where the water comes out.
The Upside Down Horse
Another one of David Černy's strange art displays in Prague is housed in the Art Nouveau Lucerna Mall, or rather hangs from its ceiling. This unique Prague sculpture, installed in 2000, depicts King Wenceslas riding on the belly of an upside-down horse. The horse’s tongue is hanging from its mouth, leading onlookers to discern that the horse is dead.
The Lucerna Mall, also called Palace Lucerna, is located in Wenceslas Square in the central district of Prague known as Nové Město.
The Hanging Umbrella Man
Another Prague statue that is suspended in the air, Slight Uncertainty created by sculptor Michal Trpák has graced the street in front of Mosaic House in New Town since 2015.
There is likely a deeper meaning to the sculpture, as there usually is with art, but whether you understand the sculpture or not, it is still a fun statue to stumble upon in Prague.
Broken People Walking Down Stairs
This particular public art display in Prague is a bit different than the others previously mentioned on this list of peculiar Prague statues. While the statue appears odd, its meaning and message is powerful, moving, and heavy. The monument, by sculptor Olbram Zoubek, is called the Memorial for the Victims of Communism.
When you see it, you may initially raise an eyebrow, but this moving and historical monument established in 2002, is worth visiting. You’ll find it situated right below Petrin Hill on Újezd street in Mala Strana, or Lesser Town.
Brownnosing
Have you ever dreamed putting your head inside a giant stone anus and watching a video of Czech politicians feeding each other, serenaded by the Queen classic “We are the Champions”? If you answered yes, your dreams are about to come true, as one of Černy’s more controversial sculptures allows you to do just that.
Brownnosing is a permanent exhibit at the FUTURA gallery in Smichov. The gallery is open Wednesday to Sunday and can be found at Holeckova 49, Prague 5 Smichov. Entry is free, although there is an optional donation.
20 Foot Tall Pregnant Lady
The In Utero statue is another one of Prague’s most famous sculptures by, you guessed it – David Černy. Similar to the mirrored, stacked stainless steel plates on the Head of Franz Kafka, this statue depicts a pregnant woman sitting on her knees, with her hands upon her head. Whether she is in the act of birth or labor, or just proudly displaying her baby bump, this sculpture is an ode to women and the beauty of pregnancy.
Although it was once proudly displayed in a small square in central Prague, it is much more difficult to see as a tourist to Prague. The beautiful sculpture is located at Galerie Golf Hostivař, southeast of the city.
The Embryo
This is definitely one that you could miss if you weren’t looking for it. You will find it on the wall of Divadlo Na zabradli on Anneske namesti. David Černy has never been one for explaining the thought processes behind his work, so we’ll leave you to ponder the symbolism of this one.
People As Statues
While they may look like statues, these are actually people fully painted silver or gold pretending to be statues in Prague Old Town Square. In the popular plazas or squares throughout the city where tourists tend to gather, you’ll find numerous street performers working for tips.
Although they aren’t actually famous or weird statues in Prague, they definitely deserve an honorable mention for their efforts.
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