The Žižkov tower is a Prague monument that everyone has its opinion. Someone loves her for her modern appearance and unconventional architectural concept, others bend her nose over it, because he does not fit into the old Žižkov development. What do world architects have on this monument?
The Žižkov tower, completed in 1992, stands in Prague’s Žižkov as a silent witness to a time full of changes. With a height of 216 meters, the horizon of the capital dominates and cannot be overlooked. And that is her problem for many. This building is said that you either love it or hate it. No other building in Prague provides so many contradictory reactions.
To the video of Adam Gebrian about the building of Žižkov’s transmitter check out youtube:
Source: YouTube
Functionality in the first place
The emergence of the tower was motivated by purely practical reasons. Prague residents suffered from poor quality of the television signal, which was supposed to solve the new broadcasting center. The construction according to the design of architect Václav Aulický and statics Jiří Kozák corresponded to modern technological requirements. However, functionality at the expense of aesthetics. Three massive concrete columns, horizontal cabins and austere technical design disrupted the classic panorama of Prague, which was only accepted by the locals with a heavy heart.
Criticism that does not cease
From the very beginning, the Žižkov tower was the target of criticism. The words were the words of the historical character of the city. The distinctive modern lines were in contrast to the Prague towers and Baroque roofs as a fist on the eye. Even thirty years after the completion of the tower, the views of the tower did not consider. The artist David Černý, the author of the iconic statues of babies who made the tower special, commented on it: “It is such a special object. I said it would be best to screw the rocket engines, light and blast it. They could screw those engines and move it to the devil. It’s just Biľak’s needle. ”
Babies as a second life
In 2000, the tower acquired a brand new face. David Černý installed a series of sculptures of climbing babies, which was originally supposed to be only temporary. This intervention eventually changed the construction more than who expected. Babies added a tower for playfulness and gave her a human dimension in the eyes of many people. Tourists admire them, photograph them, and some cannot even imagine without them the Žižkov tower.
A place with a unique outlook
The tower is not only a technical building, but also a popular tourist attraction. The viewing platform at a height of 93 meters offers a panoramic view that has no competition. The historic center of Prague extends from here in the palm. The tower also includes a luxury restaurant where visitors can enjoy good food overlooking the city.
A symbol of modern times
Despite criticism, the Žižkov tower became a solid part of the Prague landscape. Whether people admire it or hate it, it remains a significant symbol of the city. It reminds of an era where functionality has preferred to be aesthetics, and at the same time shows that even controversial architecture can find its place in the hearts of people.
Source: www.youtube.com, www.poznatsvet.cz, www.denik.cz
