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.[1][2] Letná's elevation and location afford commanding views of the Prague Old Town (Staré Město).

Letná Park

"Leten", originally called "summer camp" or "place to sunbathe" gained its importance in the Middle Ages, when the first military camps were located there due to their strategic location.[1] The areas were mainly vineyards and gardens.[2] It was not until the end of the 19th century that it began to be systematically colonized. Over time, the plains of this area of the city became a place of meeting, entertainment and recreation.

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.[1][2][3]

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.[1][4]

Pop Superstar Michael Jackson kicked off his HIStory World Tour at the park on September 7, 1996, approximately 130,000 people attended the concert.[1]

On June 23 2019, more than 250,000 people gathered on the Letná plain, calling on Prime Minister Andrej Babiš to resign amid allegations of conflict of interest and criminal fraud.

Nowadays the Letná Park is conceived more as an area of recreation, leisure and outdoor sports practice since the great plains of the "Letenské" area attract many athletes who love sports of any kind.[1][3][5] The magnificent panoramic location of the park together with its extension make it the perfect place for large events.[3][5]

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).[3][6] Coordinates: 50°05′37.45″N 14°24′45.12″E
• The oldest 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. It is now being reconstructed.[3][7] Coordinates: 50°05′47.75″N 14°25′30.00″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
• The northern part of the park is delimited by Sparta's stadium and Molochov's functionalist façade.

• 
  Famous postcard view towards bridges in Downtown Prague
• 
  Metronom
• 
  Hanavský Pavilion
• 
  Letná Carousel
• 
  Gogolova street
• 
  Statue of pebble

References

1. "Parque de Letná en Praga, la mejor vista de los puentes". Viajero errante (in Spanish). December 28, 2017. Retrieved July 13, 2019.
2. "Parque Letná". Guía Praga (in Spanish). Retrieved July 13, 2019.
3. "Letná Park". Avantgarde Prague. Retrieved July 13, 2019.
4. Cravens, Craig Stephen (2006). Culture and Customs of the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Greenwood Publishing Group. p. 18. ISBN 9780313334122.
5. "Parque y Jardines de Letná". Praga.info (in Spanish). Retrieved July 13, 2019.
6. Sarralde, José Luis (April 29, 2012). "Praga – Cómo ver las panorámicas de los puentes sobre el rio Moldava desde Letna Park". Guías Viajar (in Spanish). Retrieved July 13, 2019.
7. "Money makes the merry-go-round: The fight to save the Letna carousel". Radio Praha.