Babies climbing Zizkov Tower Prague meaning and history

The story of the babies began in the year 2000. David Cerny installed ten giant fiberglass infants on the tower. This was part of the European Capital of Culture celebrations. Initially, the installation was only temporary. Locals and tourists quickly fell in love with the weird figures. They became a permanent fixture of the skyline in 2001.

The meaning behind the babies is quite deep. Each infant has a barcode instead of a face. This represents the dehumanization of society. It suggests that children are born into a world of consumerism. They are seen as products rather than individuals. This message remains powerful in the modern age.

The statues are massive in scale. Each baby is about 3.5 meters long. They weigh roughly 190 kilograms each. In 2017, the original statues were removed for safety. New, more durable versions were installed in 2019. This ensures the babies will climb the tower for years to come.

10 Must-See David Cerny Sculptures in Prague

To see all these works, you need a plan. Many are located in the coolest neighborhoods in Prague. Here are the top items for your list.

1. Name: Tower Babies (Miminka) Type: Sculpture Why go: To see the city's most iconic modern landmark. Best for: Architecture fans. Where: Zizkov Television Tower. Time: 15 minutes. Cost: Free to view from outside. Tip: Use binoculars for a better view of the barcodes.
2. Name: Kampa Park Babies Type: Sculpture Why go: These are bronze versions of the tower babies. Best for: Close-up photos. Where: Next to Kampa Museum. Time: 20 minutes. Cost: Free. Tip: You can touch these statues and see the barcode faces up close.
3. Name: The Hanging Man (Viselec) Type: Sculpture Why go: It depicts Sigmund Freud hanging by one hand. Best for: Quirky art lovers. Where: Husova Street, Old Town. Time: 10 minutes. Cost: Free. Tip: Learn more about where to find the hanging man statue Prague before you go.
4. Name: Rotating Franz Kafka Head Type: Kinetic Sculpture Why go: 42 layers of stainless steel rotate independently. Best for: Instagram videos. Where: Quadrio Shopping Centre. Time: 30 minutes. Cost: Free. Tip: Check the head of Franz Kafka rotating statue schedule today to catch the movement.
5. Name: Upside-Down Horse (Kůň) Type: Sculpture Why go: A parody of the St. Wenceslas statue. Best for: History buffs. Where: Lucerna Passage. Time: 15 minutes. Cost: Free. Tip: Enjoy a coffee in the beautiful Art Nouveau passage while viewing it.
6. Name: Piss (Čůrající postavy) Type: Interactive Sculpture Why go: Two bronze men pee into a pool shaped like the Czech Republic. Best for: A good laugh. Where: Kafka Museum courtyard. Time: 15 minutes. Cost: Free. Tip: You can send a text message to a number nearby to make them spell words.
7. Name: The Embryo Type: Sculpture Why go: A glowing embryo attached to a drainpipe. Best for: Hidden gem seekers. Where: Na Zábradlí Theatre. Time: 5 minutes. Cost: Free. Tip: Visit at night when the sculpture glows from within.
8. Name: Brown-nosers Type: Immersive Sculpture Why go: You climb a ladder to look inside giant bottoms. Best for: The brave. Where: Futura Gallery. Time: 30 minutes. Cost: Gallery entry fee. Tip: Check gallery opening hours as they vary seasonally.
9. Name: London Booster Type: Sculpture Why go: A red double-decker bus doing push-ups. Best for: Sports fans. Where: Chodov (near the Agrofert building). Time: 20 minutes. Cost: Free. Tip: This is outside the city center, so take the Metro Line C.
10. Name: MeetFactory Red Cars Type: Sculpture Why go: Two red cars hang like meat from a rack. Best for: Alternative culture fans. Where: Smichov. Time: 45 minutes. Cost: Free. Tip: Stay for a concert or art show at the MeetFactory center.

How to use a David Cerny sculptures map

Navigating these sites is easy with a David Cerny sculptures map. Most works are in the Old Town or Mala Strana. You can walk between the Hanging Man, the Kafka Head, and the Upside-Down Horse. These are all within a 15-minute walk of each other.

To see the Zizkov Tower, you should take the green metro line. Get off at the Jiriho z Podebrad station. From there, it is a short walk through a lovely park. The area is full of great cafes and local pubs. It offers a much more authentic feel than the tourist center.

For the further sites like MeetFactory, use the tram system. Prague has excellent public transport that runs 24/7. Always validate your ticket before you board. Seeing all ten items usually takes a full day. Start early to avoid the largest crowds at the Kafka Head.