Letná Park
Letná Park (in Czech Letenské sady) is a large park on Letná hill, built on a plateau above steep embankments along the Vltava River in Prague, Czech Republic. Letná's elevation and location afford commanding views of the Prague Old Town (Staré Město).
History
In 1955, a large monument to Joseph Stalin was erected at the edge of Letná Park. This statue was destroyed in 1962 and the Prague Metronome now occupies the site.
During the Velvet Revolution, a plain next to the Letná Park (Letenská pláň) was the site of some important demonstrations against the Communist government. On the 25th and 26 November 1989 approximately 750,000 people protested in here. These protests were followed by a general nationwide strike on 27 November 1989.
Pop Superstar Michael Jackson kicked off his HIStory World Tour at the park on September 7, 1996, approximately 127,000 people attended the concert.
Buildings, monuments and attractions
- Hanavský Pavilion is a cast-iron structure built in 1891 in Neo-Baroque style for the Jubilee World Fair (General Land Centennial Exhibition). Coordinates: 50°05′37.45″N 14°24′45.12″E / 50.0937361°N 14.4125333°E
- The oldest functioning carousel in Europe is located in the Letná Park. The carousel was constructed in 1892 and was originally located in another part of town. It was moved to the park in 1894.[1] Coordinates: 50°05′47.75″N 14°25′30.00″E / 50.0965972°N 14.4250000°E
- A large marble pedestal with Metronome which used to be the base of a large statue of Stalin, and is still referred to as Stalin's Monument. Coordinates: 50°05′41.38″N 14°24′57.97″E / 50.0948278°N 14.4161028°E
- The northern part of the park is delimited by Sparta's stadium and Molochov's functionalist façade.
References
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