Can you picture the enormous gas holder that once stood right here? It was 84 meters tall and 50 meters wide, a colossal structure looming over the neighborhood. This is Plynárna Michle, a place where fire and gas intertwined for decades. This industrial park, now a testament to a bygone era, was the heart of Prague’s gas production for almost half a century. Once filled with the hiss of gas and the clatter of machinery, it now stands as a museum chronicling the history of gas production in the Czech Republic.
Imagine the scene on January 6, 1961. A fire broke out in this very gas holder, leaving the neighborhood enveloped in flames. The fire raged for a full day, and although no one was hurt, the entire area had to be evacuated. It was a terrifying event, a reminder of the potential danger inherent in this industry.
Plynárna Michle had a long and eventful history, a history that began in 1925 when construction of this facility started. The architect, Josef Kalous, designed a functionalist building that was innovative for its time. This was not just a place of production but also a symbol of progress, a testament to human ingenuity. The gas produced here powered homes, businesses, and industries across Prague.
This gas holder, a towering symbol of Plynárna Michle, marked the end of an era in 1975. It was finally decommissioned, a consequence of the shift towards natural gas. Today, Plynárna Michle is a place of history, a reminder of a city’s evolving needs and the fascinating journey of energy production.