Standing tall and stoic, the 50. rovnoběžka Obelisk may seem unassuming at first glance. However, this granite giant holds a story more dramatic than its simple appearance suggests. The 50. rovnoběžka Obelisk we see today, commemorating the Czechs and Slovaks lost in the First World War, wasn’t the first attempt. Its predecessor, a colossal 20-meter-long granite monolith, met a tragic end during transport in 1923. Picture this: the massive stone, weighing over 90 tons, is being separated from its accompanying granite bowl destined for the Castle gardens. Suddenly, the obelisk slips, rolling down the hill and shattering the bowl, its top section breaking off. The broken pieces found their own destinies. The bowl remains in the Paradise Garden, a silent witness to the accident. The 6.3-meter piece of the obelisk rests in Telč Square of Heroes. The largest section stands near Palackého Náměstí, a memorial to Prague citizens lost in the war. This first dramatic failure did not deter the dream of the 50. rovnoběžka Obelisk. In 1925, a second attempt began, but fate again intervened. The new obelisk also broke during transport, losing over 3 meters of its length. However, this time, the remaining 15.6 meters were successfully transported to Prague Castle, albeit after a long and arduous journey. After 19 days at the quarry, 7 days to Prague, and 22 days from the Dejvice station to the Castle, the stone finally reached its resting place. The 50. rovnoběžka Obelisk, though smaller than originally envisioned, stands as a testament to perseverance and a reminder of the sacrifices of war.
Центральный дом работников искусств
Step through the grand wooden doors of the Central House of the Workers of Art, and you’ll be transported to