Why Are There Babies on the Prague TV Tower?

By Robert Palmer

If you have ever visited Prague, you might have noticed the unique and intriguing TV Tower that stands tall in the city skyline. However, what might have caught your attention are the giant crawling babies that adorn the tower’s exterior. These sculptures are undoubtedly a fascinating sight and often leave tourists and visitors wondering about their significance.

The Tower was built in the 1980s during the Communist era of Czechoslovakia as a transmitter for TV and radio signals. However, after the fall of communism, the tower became a symbol of oppression and was highly criticized by locals who wanted it demolished. In a bid to save the structure, artist David Černý was commissioned to create something that would transform its image.

Černý’s solution was to create an art installation that would not only add an aesthetic value but also be thought-provoking. Thus, he came up with an idea of giant crawling babies climbing up and down the tower’s pillars. These sculptures made it look like they were on a mission to destroy or at least conquer the tower.

The concept behind these sculptures is open to interpretation, but some say it represents the communist regime’s impact on children, leaving them stunted in their development. Others believe that it is a comment on society’s obsession with power and domination.

Regardless of what they represent, these sculptures have become iconic landmarks in Prague, drawing thousands of visitors each year. The babies are made from fiberglass and stand at 10 meters tall. They weigh around 800 kilograms each and are suspended from steel cables attached to each pillar.

It is not just the TV Tower where you can find Černý’s provocative artwork; he has several other installations spread throughout Prague. One such sculpture is located outside the Franz Kafka Museum- a statue of two men urinating into a pool shaped like The Czech Republic!

In conclusion, if you’re visiting Prague soon or planning to make a trip there shortly, make sure to add the TV Tower to your itinerary. The giant crawling babies are undoubtedly a sight to behold and an excellent conversation starter. And who knows, maybe you’ll come up with your interpretation of what they represent!