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General info
In the big Letná park in Prague, there is an old Neo-Renaissance carousel that dates back to 1892.
The structure is a bit hidden, because it is located between the famous beer garden and the National Technical Museum, just behind the Letenský zámeček (the summer castle).
The carousel, known as “kolotoč” in Czech, is the oldest operating attraction of its kind in Europe.
The wooden pavilion maintains its original layout, shaped like a regular dodecahedron with a diameter of 12 meters, and it features a pyramidal roof adorned with 12 vaults topped by a 7.7 meters tall cupola.
It was built by the master carpenter Matěj Bílek for Josef Nebeský.
Initially, the carousel stood in Vinohrady (today a neighborhood of Prague) and was later moved to Letná.
Functioning and evolution of the carousel
Originally, the carousel was powered by a single person, who continuously walked in circles beneath the floor, pushing against one of the frame braces.
When the structure was relocated to Letná, the manual drive was replaced with a mechanical gear, and in the 30s an electric motor was installed.
It is said that once the carousel provided power to the nearby tram station until the line was discontinued in 1902.
Close by, you can still observe a section of the old tracks, kept as a memorial of the first electric tram line in Prague.
The interiors are almost the same as it was back then, with the exception of the box orchestra and the bell, which were stolen in 1994.
At the center of the carousel stands a rotating column guarded by three knights.
The revolving floor features approximately 20 horses of different sizes, so to carry both children and adults, along with four tiny cars.
The horses have wooden heads and legs, and are built on a metal frame stuffed with straw and covered in horsehide.
The mini cars are based on the models that were circulating in the 30s.
In November 1991, the carousel was designated as National Cultural Monument and has been protected ever since.
In 2004, the National Technical Museum bought it and established a special fund to raise money for its restoration.
Finally, the carousel reopened in July 2022 and operates from May to September every Friday, Saturday, Sunday and, on national holidays.
You can catch a glimpse by watching this video, starting at the 30-minute mark.
