What’s the Ugliest Building in Prague?

By Alice Nichols

Prague is a city filled with stunning architecture, from the Gothic beauty of St. Vitus Cathedral to the Art Nouveau splendor of the Municipal House. But amidst all this grandeur, there is one building that stands out for all the wrong reasons – the Zizkov Television Tower.

The Zizkov Tower

Located in the Zizkov district of Prague, this tower was built between 1985 and 1992 during the Communist era in Czechoslovakia. It was designed by architect Vaclav Aulicky and engineer Jiri Kozak, and was intended to serve as a transmitter for television and radio signals.

At 216 meters tall, it’s hard to miss the tower as you walk around Prague. But it’s not just its height that makes it stand out – it’s also covered in strange sculptures that some people find downright creepy.

The Sculptures

The tower is covered in giant crawling babies, created by Czech artist David Cerny. The babies are made from fiberglass and are said to represent the country’s troubled past under Communist rule.

But many people find them disturbing rather than thought-provoking. The babies have elongated limbs and featureless faces, making them look more like aliens than human infants.

The Views

Despite its controversial appearance, the Zizkov Tower does offer some great views of Prague. Visitors can take an elevator to an observation deck at a height of 93 meters, where they can enjoy panoramic views of the city.

Conclusion

While some people might appreciate the Zizkov Tower’s unique style, it’s hard to deny that it’s one of Prague’s ugliest buildings. Its bizarre sculptures make it stand out for all the wrong reasons, and many locals would be happy to see it torn down.

So if you’re looking for beautiful architecture in Prague, you might want to give the Zizkov Tower a miss. But if you’re feeling brave, you can always take the elevator to the top and see the city from a whole new perspective.