#Sports facility #Prague (Praha) #Czechia #1930
Alois Dryák, Ferdinand Balcárek, Karel Kopp
Atletická, Nad Zavěrkou, Vaníčkova,
169 00
Prague (Praha),
Czechia
Public transport: Stadion Strahov
Access: Public area during exhibitions or appointments
Today's use: Place for trainings and sport
Description
The official name of the venue is the Great Strahov Stadium (Velký strahovský stadion), distinguishing it from the two smaller stadiums located immediately to its west.
The vast complex covers an area equivalent to seven football pitches. Its stands provide seating for approximately 56,000 spectators, while the site has accommodated crowds of up to 250,000 people during major events. This remarkable capacity makes it the largest stadium of the modern era, surpassed only by the historic Circus Maximus in ancient Rome.
The stadium was developed in several phases. The first major construction stage took place between 1930 and 1932, when the West Stand was built around the central field. It features a timber roof, allowing spectators to remain sheltered in all weather conditions. These sections are connected by structures incorporating two prominent towers. Architecturally, they display many characteristics of early modernism, like balconies, a lookout platform and big windows. Their simple vertical elements create a striking contrast with the stadium’s vast horizontal expanse.Today, this section of the stadium has been largely renovated.
Access to a number of interior rooms is provided from the West Stand. Among them is the Presidential Hall, whose furnishings date from the 1970s. The technical facilities and the press rooms are also located here; the latter still retain their original wooden panelling.
The North and South Stands were added between 1938 and 1947. Today they are in a bad condition.
The East Stand was constructed later, between 1962 and 1975, completing the stadium's present form, designed by the architects Zdeněk Kuna, Zdeněk Stupka and Olivier Honke-Houfek. Although the North and South Stands are built of reinforced concrete, their repetitive and highly regular design recalls classical architectural principles. This is somewhat surprising, as the material itself would have allowed for a more open and expressive architectural language.
Together with the later East Stand, these imposing structures have led many visitors to assume that the stadium was built during the socialist period, when such monumental forms were frequently employed. In reality, much of the complex predates that era.
Today, the condition of this listed architectural ensemble is often a source of regret. However, no comprehensive restoration programme is currently planned, particularly for the North and South Stands.
The large concrete tower on the southern side in front of the stadium was designed to match the architectural style of the stadium. However, it is not directly related to the stadium itself. Instead, it serves as a ventilation exhaust shaft for the road tunnel that runs beneath the site.
Description
The official name of the venue is the Great Strahov Stadium (Velký strahovský stadion), distinguishing it from the two smaller stadiums located immediately to its west.
The vast complex covers an area equivalent to seven football pitches. Its stands provide seating for approximately 56,000 spectators, while the site has accommodated crowds of up to 250,000 people during major events. This remarkable capacity makes it the largest stadium of the modern era, surpassed only by the historic Circus Maximus in ancient Rome.
The stadium was developed in several phases. The first major construction stage took place between 1930 and 1932, when the West Stand was built around the central field. It features a timber roof, allowing spectators to remain sheltered in all weather conditions. These sections are connected by structures incorporating two prominent towers. Architecturally, they display many characteristics of early modernism, like balconies, a lookout platform and big windows. Their simple vertical elements create a striking contrast with the stadium’s vast horizontal expanse.Today, this section of the stadium has been largely renovated.
Access to a number of interior rooms is provided from the West Stand. Among them is the Presidential Hall, whose furnishings date from the 1970s. The technical facilities and the press rooms are also located here; the latter still retain their original wooden panelling.
The North and South Stands were added between 1938 and 1947. Today they are in a bad condition.
The East Stand was constructed later, between 1962 and 1975, completing the stadium's present form, designed by the architects Zdeněk Kuna, Zdeněk Stupka and Olivier Honke-Houfek. Although the North and South Stands are built of reinforced concrete, their repetitive and highly regular design recalls classical architectural principles. This is somewhat surprising, as the material itself would have allowed for a more open and expressive architectural language.
Together with the later East Stand, these imposing structures have led many visitors to assume that the stadium was built during the socialist period, when such monumental forms were frequently employed. In reality, much of the complex predates that era.
Today, the condition of this listed architectural ensemble is often a source of regret. However, no comprehensive restoration programme is currently planned, particularly for the North and South Stands.
The large concrete tower on the southern side in front of the stadium was designed to match the architectural style of the stadium. However, it is not directly related to the stadium itself. Instead, it serves as a ventilation exhaust shaft for the road tunnel that runs beneath the site.
History
A vast stadium was built from 1926 onwards on the site of a former quarry. The Sokol festivals (Všesokolský slet), which had already gained popularity during the nineteenth century, were intended to represent the Czech nation within the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Following the establishment of the Czechoslovak state in 1918, the four-yearly mass gymnastic displays also acquired the status of official state ceremonies. As a result, plans were made to construct a new Sokol stadium. The Czechoslavok President Tomáš G. Masaryk attended the games and the stadium was even named after him.
The western grandstand, which still survives today, was designed by architect Alois Dryák. After Dryák's death in 1932, the architectural partnership of Balcárek and Kopp took over the project and continued the construction of the concrete grandstands on the northern and southern sides. Owing to the disruption caused by the Second World War, those two parts were not completed until 1947.
Because of its immense size and its symbolic role as a venue for political demonstrations of power, the stadium was chosen as the site for the celebration of Adolf Hitler’s fiftieth birthday in 1939, serving also as a visible expression of the occupation of Czechoslovakia.
The complex was subsequently enlarged on several occasions: in 1955 (extension of the grandstands), 1960 (visitor pavilions), 1962–1975 (eastern grandstand), and 2002 (integration of a training centre).
After the post-war Sokol gatherings, the stadium became the principal venue for the socialist Spartakiads. Following the political changes of 1989, internationally renowned music acts performed there, and the venue also hosted a visit by the Pope.
In 2003, the stadium was successfully granted protected monument status. Although it remains one of the largest stadiums ever built, it is no longer in particularly good condition. Today, it is used for a variety of purposes, but no longer hosts major events.
Nowadays, the stadium is used only occasionally and is open to visitors through guided tours.
History
A vast stadium was built from 1926 onwards on the site of a former quarry. The Sokol festivals (Všesokolský slet), which had already gained popularity during the nineteenth century, were intended to represent the Czech nation within the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Following the establishment of the Czechoslovak state in 1918, the four-yearly mass gymnastic displays also acquired the status of official state ceremonies. As a result, plans were made to construct a new Sokol stadium. The Czechoslavok President Tomáš G. Masaryk attended the games and the stadium was even named after him.
The western grandstand, which still survives today, was designed by architect Alois Dryák. After Dryák's death in 1932, the architectural partnership of Balcárek and Kopp took over the project and continued the construction of the concrete grandstands on the northern and southern sides. Owing to the disruption caused by the Second World War, those two parts were not completed until 1947.
Because of its immense size and its symbolic role as a venue for political demonstrations of power, the stadium was chosen as the site for the celebration of Adolf Hitler’s fiftieth birthday in 1939, serving also as a visible expression of the occupation of Czechoslovakia.
The complex was subsequently enlarged on several occasions: in 1955 (extension of the grandstands), 1960 (visitor pavilions), 1962–1975 (eastern grandstand), and 2002 (integration of a training centre).
After the post-war Sokol gatherings, the stadium became the principal venue for the socialist Spartakiads. Following the political changes of 1989, internationally renowned music acts performed there, and the venue also hosted a visit by the Pope.
In 2003, the stadium was successfully granted protected monument status. Although it remains one of the largest stadiums ever built, it is no longer in particularly good condition. Today, it is used for a variety of purposes, but no longer hosts major events.
Nowadays, the stadium is used only occasionally and is open to visitors through guided tours.
Sources
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