Was it a bird? A plane? No. It was the Libeňský plynojem, a sight that had people scratching their heads back in the 1930s. This massive silver sphere, perched atop eight sturdy legs, dominates the skyline near Palmovka junction. The Libeňský plynojem, nicknamed “The Sphere” by locals, wasn’t always a silent giant. Built in 1932, it was a marvel of engineering, the first of its kind in Czechoslovakia. The booming industries of Libeň, Karlín, Holešovice, and Vysočany needed a reliable gas supply. The old gasworks in Michle couldn’t keep up. The sphere, with its 20-meter diameter and 14mm thick steel plates, held enough gas to fuel the city’s growth. But fate, it seems, had other plans. During the turmoil of World War II, the Libeňský plynojem fell victim to stray bullets. Damaged and out of commission, it sat idle until 1949. Then, a new chapter began. The Research and Test Aeronautical Institute repurposed the sphere, transforming it into a vital component of their state-of-the-art wind tunnel, the fastest in Czechoslovakia. Today, the Libeňský plynojem stands as a testament to Prague’s industrial past and its enduring spirit of innovation. What was once a symbol of progress became a casualty of war, only to be reborn as a tool for scientific advancement.
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