Prague is home to some of the most stunning buildings in Europe.
But beyond its bustling squares and colorful alleys, you’ll find a handful of unusual and quirky attractions. From faceless babies to Victorian sex machines, this city has a lot of surprises in store.
Let’s check out some of the weirdest attractions in Prague!
1. The rotating head of Franz Kafka
The rotating head of Franz Kafka in Prague is a unique sculpture in the heart of the city.
Created by Czech artist David Černý, it depicts the head of the famous writer Franz Kafka, one of the most influential writers of the 20th century.
The sculpture is made up of 42 individual rotating panels. The panels move independently and create a constantly changing and dynamic portrait of Kafka, which reflects the author’s complex and enigmatic personality.
This unusual attraction is located outside the Quadrio shopping center, which is situated on the site of the former Workers’ Accident Insurance Institute, where Kafka worked as an insurance clerk.
2. The statue of King Wenceslas on an upside-down horse
The statue of King Wenceslas riding an upside-down dead horse is a provocative and controversial sculpture located in the Lucerna Palace courtyard in Prague.
Another piece of art by David Černý, the sculpture depicts the legendary Czech king Wenceslas sitting astride an upside-down horse, with the horse’s legs pointing towards the sky and its tongue sticking out.
The sculpture has been interpreted as a criticism of the country’s political leadership and their perceived incompetence.
3. The Dancing House
The Dancing House, also known as the Fred and Ginger Building, is a modern architectural marvel located in Prague’s New Town district.
Designed by the Croatian-Czech architect Vlado Milunić in collaboration with the renowned Canadian-American architect Frank Gehry, this building is a striking contrast to the city’s historic Baroque and Gothic architecture.
Its design is inspired by the image of two dancers, Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, with one part of the building resembling a dress and the other part resembling a suit.
The curved forms and irregular shapes of the building give it an almost surreal appearance, and the glass façade provides stunning views of the city skyline.
Today, the Dancing House houses a hotel, offices, and a restaurant, and it has become one of Prague’s most recognizable landmarks.
4. The penguins at Kampa Park
If you go for a stroll through Kampa Park, you’ll come across a line of yellow penguins standing on a metal beam along the river.
The penguins are made from recycled bottles. The artists behind the installation hope to raise awareness on the dangers of climate change and plastic waste.
5. The crawling babies
Next to the yellow penguins, you’ll find the crawling babies. These bronze sculpture are a little disturbing, and possibly the weirdest thing you’ll see in Prague.
Created by David Černý, these babies have no facial features, save for a bar code stamp, and they’re meant to symbolize the repressive Communist era.
You’ll also find them crawling up the Žižkov television tower.
6. The Museum of Alchemy
If you want to explore the mystical side of Prague, make sure you visit the Museum of Alchemy.
During the reign of Rudolf II, many alchemists travelled to Prague to study the art. One of them was Edward Kelley, who came to the city to impress the emperor.
The Museum of Alchemy in Prague’s Jewish Quarter takes you on a trip back in time. You get to walk through the underground vaults where alchemists performed their experiments.
These vaults were only discovered in 2002, when the square in front of the building collapsed due to severe floods.
The museum also has a selection of elixirs and potions, concocted from traditional ingredients.
7. The book tunnel at the Municipal Library
The book tunnel is Prague’s Municipal Library is quickly becoming one of the city’s star attractions.
It was designed by Slovak artist Matej Krén in 1998, and it’s actually a column made up of 8,000 books which were either donated or about to be thrown away.
There are mirrors at the top and base of the column to give the impression of an infinite tunnel. However, if you’re sensitive to heights, you may still get a little woozy as you look down!
8. The dripstone wall in Wallenstein Gardens
If you want to escape the crowds in Prague, you can go for a stroll through Wallenstein Gardens. These 17th-century gardens at the Senate Palace are dotted with baroque statues and beautiful ponds.
However, this place is also home to a weird attraction known as the “dripstone wall”.
From a distance, the wall looks like an assemblage of black skulls. However, it’s actually made of stalactite-like rocks.
If you take a closer look, you might even make out human faces in the wall!
9. The grotto in Grébovka Garden
If you’re looking for more weird attractions in Prague, you’ll want to take a trip to Grébovka Garden.
Located in Vinohrady, well off the tourist trail, this Renaissance-style park is mainly known for its old vineyards.
However, you’ll also a find a curious grotto with a network of paths carved into the rocks.
Once you emerge from the caves, you’ll find yourself on a terrace overlooking the park. You can then walk down to the fountain and enjoy the grotto from below.
10. The Sex Machines Museum
The Sex Machines Museum in Prague is a provocative attraction that explores the history and evolution of sex technology.
Located in the Old Town, the museum features a collection of over 200 sex machines and devices from different eras, ranging from antique vibrators and dildos to modern-day sex robots.
While the Museum of Sex Machines may not be for everyone, it offers a fascinating and educational look into a subject that is often taboo or misunderstood.
The museum’s collection is thoughtfully curated and presented, and provides a unique perspective on the intersection of technology, sexuality, and human desire.