On Letná, the famous historical carousel, on which people could ride as early as 1894, has spun again. It will be in operation from May to September, three days a week – Friday, Saturday, Sunday and on public holidays, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The ride takes 5 minutes and costs 80 crowns (approximately $3).
The carousel, made by carpenter Matěj Bílek, was moved from Královské Vinohrady, where it operated for two years, to its current location in Letná in 1894. Here it was used for the entertainment of Prague citizens and tourists until 2006. People sat on nineteen horses of various sizes, covered with real horsehide and filled with straw, with glass eyes.
The original saddles and bridles have been preserved only on four horses: Poly, Flora, Blesk, and Šemík.
During the restoration, interesting memories of the past were found inside the horses – newspaper articles from 1923 and 1937, and coins from the time of the Austro-Hungarian monarchy.
Originally, the carousel was powered by a single person, who continually walked around and around in the space beneath the floor pushing against one of the frame braces. Since the 1930s, however, it has been powered by an electric motor.
The interior of the carousel has almost the exact same appearance as it did in 1894. Atop the revolving floor are 18 horses of various sizes and four tiny cars. The horses have an iron frame supplemented with carved wooden heads and legs; they are covered to the hooves in real horse skin.
In 1995, the carousel was restored according to the original plans. A truly exceptional item of cultural heritage, it`s included in the essential list of built monuments of the Czech Republic.
The carousel ride is accompanied by music from an orchestrion into which coins must be tossed to make it play. Just like the good old days!
Could Socrates Have Been in Prague?
