The Ghosts Of Prague's Communist Past
- By Amos Chapple
Thirty-five years after the Velvet Revolution threw off Soviet-backed communist rule in Czechoslovakia, we visited some of the sites in Prague where monuments once stood and propaganda posters loomed over passersby.
Then
Now
1
A statue of Soviet founder Vladimir Lenin in Prague's Dejvice neighborhood, photographed in 1981
The statue was unveiled in 1972, then pulled down in 1990 in the wake of the 1989 Velvet Revolution that overthrew communist rule in Czechoslovakia. The statue's base -- shaped like a kicker ramp -- was a popular spot for skateboarders until it was removed in 2007 and the space grassed over.
The statue was unveiled in 1972, then pulled down in 1990 in the wake of the 1989 Velvet Revolution that overthrew communist rule in Czechoslovakia. The statue's base -- shaped like a kicker ramp -- was a popular spot for skateboarders until it was removed in 2007 and the space grassed over.
Then
Now
2
The Monument to Soviet Tank Crews in Prague, photographed in 1961
The tank was famously painted pink by artist David Cerny in April 1991, then removed in June of the same year.
The tank was famously painted pink by artist David Cerny in April 1991, then removed in June of the same year.
Then
Now
3
A plaque to Vladimir Lenin inside a metro station that was called Leninova when this 1978 photo was taken. The quote alongside the plaque comes from a propaganda poem: "None are more alive than Lenin in this world. Our strength, our wisdom are the surest of weapons."
This plaque reportedly still lurks among the cobwebs and cables behind the newsstand in the station now named Dejvicka.
Then
Now
4
A 1960 view of the largest Stalin monument ever built that once looked out over Prague
Then
Now
5
The Stalin monument seen in the summer of 1960
The granite and concrete behemoth stood from 1955 until 1962, when it was blasted into rubble amid the Soviet Union's "de-Stalinization" drive. A giant metronome now waves in its place.
The granite and concrete behemoth stood from 1955 until 1962, when it was blasted into rubble amid the Soviet Union's "de-Stalinization" drive. A giant metronome now waves in its place.
Then
Now
6
A 2015 photo of a monument to Soviet General Ivan Konev, one of the Red Army generals who led Soviet troops into Nazi-occupied Prague in May 1945
The monument was controversial, largely due to Konev's later role in crushing the 1956 Hungarian Revolution, and was repeatedly vandalized. The statue was removed in April 2020.
The monument was controversial, largely due to Konev's later role in crushing the 1956 Hungarian Revolution, and was repeatedly vandalized. The statue was removed in April 2020.
Then
Now
7
A monument outside a Soviet military base near Milovice, just northeast of Prague
Following the Velvet Revolution of 1989, Soviet troops completed their withdrawal from the base in 1991.
Following the Velvet Revolution of 1989, Soviet troops completed their withdrawal from the base in 1991.
Then
Now
8
A 1975 photo shows a banner on the Hyberna Theater commemorating 30 years since the entry of Soviet troops into Prague during World War II.
Then
Now
9
A 1988 photo of the exterior of a museum to Vladimir Lenin that once operated in central Prague
Then
Now
10
A detail of the museum exterior depicting a scene from Lenin's life
The museum was shut down and its artifacts sent to museums after the November 1989 Velvet Revolution.
The museum was shut down and its artifacts sent to museums after the November 1989 Velvet Revolution.
