Prague Metronome

Prague Metronome
Czech: Pražský metronom
The Metronome
Prague Metronome is located in Central Prague
Prague Metronome
Prague Metronome
Location in Prague
ArtistVratislav Novák
Year1991 (1991)
LocationPrague 7, Czech Republic
Coordinates50°05′41″N 14°24′56″E / 50.09472°N 14.41556°E / 50.09472; 14.41556
Websitewww.prague.eu/en/object/places/3003/metronome

The Prague Metronome (Czech: Pražský metronom) is a 75-foot-tall (23 m) functioning metronome in Letná Park, overlooking the Vltava River and the city center of Prague.[1] The kinetic sculpture was erected in 1991, on the plinth left vacant by the late-1962 demolition of an enormous monument to former Soviet leader Joseph Stalin. The silent red metronome was designed by international artist Vratislav Novák, and officially named "Time Machine".[2][3] It may be the largest metronome in the world, although Geneva (since 1972) and Gdańsk (since 2016) each have a larger pendulum clock.[4][5]

The Prague Metronome is functional, but it is not always in operation.[6] A plaque at the base reads "In time, all things pass..." The inverted pendulum of the motorized metronome has swung at both 4 and 6 beats per minute.[7][8]

The site offers a scenic view of the city and now is mostly used as a meeting place for skateboarders and others.[9]

References

  1. ^ "Prague Metronome". Atlas Obscura.
  2. ^ Czepczyński, Mariusz (2008). Cultural Landscapes of Post-Socialist Cities: Representation of Powers and Needs, Ashgate ISBN 978-0-7546-7022-3, p. 94.
  3. ^ Johnston, Raymond (14 May 2021). "Prague uncovered: The iconic Metronome celebrates 30 years of relentlessly ticking into the future". Expats.cz. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
  4. ^ Guilbaud, Gérard. "Genève [Geneva]" (in French). Patrimoine-Horloge. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
  5. ^ Gierszewski, Andrzej (29 June 2023). "Rusza konkurs na nową nazwę dla rekordowego zegara z Muzeum Nauki Gdańskiej [A competition for a new name for the record clock from the Gdańsk Science Museum is starting]" (Press release) (in Polish). Gdańsk Museum. Retrieved 10 February 2024.
  6. ^ "The Red Metronome: Prague's Communist Past". PopMatters. 12 February 2015. Retrieved 29 July 2018.
  7. ^ "48 hours in Prague: The perfect two-day itinerary". GetYourGuide. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
  8. ^ "Prague Metronome". LivingPrague. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
  9. ^ Velinger, Jan (5 April 2006). "Beautiful Letna Park – wide walkways, gorgeous trees, the ghost of Stalin, and the skateboarder's cure". Radio Prague. Retrieved 24 April 2021.
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