Top Quirky Statues and Art Installations in Prague

Prague's street art scene is dominated by David Černý. His work is provocative and often political. You can find his sculptures scattered throughout the historic districts. Some are easy to spot, while others require a bit of searching. Here are the best quirky statues and art installations to find on your walk.

• Best overall: Franz Kafka's Head
• Best for families: The Crawling Babies
• Best hidden gem: The Embryo
• Best free sight: Piss (Peeing Statues)

1. Name: Franz Kafka's Head Type: Moving Art Installation Why go: This giant bust consists of 42 rotating stainless steel layers. It represents the complex mind of the famous writer. Best for: Photographers and fans of technology. Where: Quadrio Shopping Centre, New Town. Time: 15 minutes. Cost: Free. Getting there: Take Metro Line B to Národní třída. Tip: The head usually rotates on the hour for about 15 minutes.
2. Name: The Crawling Babies (Miminka) Type: Sculpture Why go: These giant, faceless bronze babies have barcodes for faces. They are both cute and slightly unsettling. Best for: Families and quirky photo ops. Where: Kampa Park, near the Vltava River. Time: 20 minutes. Cost: Free. Getting there: Walk from Charles Bridge towards Malá Strana. Tip: You can also see them climbing the Žižkov Television Tower from a distance.
3. Name: Piss (Peeing Statues) Type: Interactive Fountain Why go: Two bronze men stand in a pool shaped like the Czech Republic. They move their hips to write quotes in the water. Best for: People who enjoy satire and dark humor. Where: Courtyard of the Franz Kafka Museum, Malá Strana. Time: 10 minutes. Cost: Free. Getting there: A short walk from the Malostranská metro station. Tip: You can send a text message to a number nearby to make them spell your name.
4. Name: Upside-Down Horse (St. Wenceslas) Type: Hanging Sculpture Why go: This is a parody of the famous statue in Wenceslas Square. It shows the patron saint sitting on the belly of a dead, hanging horse. Best for: History buffs who like irony. Where: Lucerna Passage, near Wenceslas Square and National Museum. Time: 15 minutes. Cost: Free. Getting there: Enter the passage from Vodičkova street. Tip: Stop at the Lucerna Cafe nearby for a classic Prague atmosphere.
5. Name: The Hanging Man (Sigmund Freud) Type: Sculpture Why go: A statue of Sigmund Freud hangs by one hand from a roof. It looks incredibly real from a distance. Best for: Those who keep their eyes looking up. Where: Husova Street, Old Town. Time: 5 minutes. Cost: Free. Getting there: Walk from Old Town Square sights toward the river. Tip: Many people mistake it for a real person in distress, so don't be alarmed!
6. Name: Brown-Nosers Type: Interactive Sculpture Why go: These giant lower halves of bodies are built into a wall. You can climb a ladder and stick your head inside their backsides. Best for: Brave travelers looking for extreme satire. Where: Futura Gallery, Smíchov. Time: 30 minutes. Cost: Free (check gallery hours). Getting there: Take tram 9 or 15 to Bertramka. Tip: Check the National Gallery Prague site for more traditional art nearby.
7. Name: The Metronome Type: Kinetic Landmark Why go: It sits on a massive plinth where a giant Stalin statue once stood. It symbolizes the relentless march of time. Best for: Panoramic views of the city. Where: Letná Park. Time: 45 minutes. Cost: Free. Getting there: Walk up the stairs from the Čechův Bridge. Tip: This is a popular spot for local skateboarders and sunset watchers.
8. Name: Memorial to the Victims of Communism Type: Bronze Memorial Why go: Six bronze figures appear to decay as they walk down the stairs. It is a powerful and haunting tribute to those who suffered. Best for: History enthusiasts. Where: Base of Petřín Hill. Time: 20 minutes. Cost: Free. Getting there: Follow our Petrin Hill attractions guide to find it. Tip: It is best visited during the day to see the details of the decaying bodies.
9. Name: The Cloak of Conscience Type: Hollow Statue Why go: This eerie, empty cloak represents the ghost of a character from Mozart's Don Giovanni. Best for: Opera fans and lovers of spooky art. Where: Outside the Estates Theatre. Time: 10 minutes. Cost: Free. Getting there: A short walk from Můstek metro station. Tip: The Estates Theatre is where Mozart actually premiered Don Giovanni in 1787.
10. Name: Embryo Type: Wall Sculpture Why go: A small, glowing embryo is attached to a drainpipe on a theater wall. It glows pink at night. Best for: Fans of hidden details. Where: Na Zábradlí Theatre, Old Town. Time: 5 minutes. Cost: Free. Getting there: Walk along the river bank near Charles Bridge. Tip: It is very easy to miss, so look closely at the drainpipes on the building corner.

Day Trips for Art Lovers Near Prague

If you have more time, explore art outside the city center. These locations offer a deeper look at Czech history through sculpture. They are easy to reach by train or bus. You will find that quirky statues and art installations extend far beyond the capital.

1. Name: Lidice Memorial Type: Historical Day Trip Why go: The memorial features 82 bronze statues of children. It commemorates a village destroyed during WWII. Best for: Somber reflection and history lovers. Where: Lidice, about 20km from Prague. Time: 3-4 hours. Cost: Small fee for the museum; grounds are free. Getting there: Take a bus from Nádraží Veleslavín metro station. Tip: Visit the rose garden nearby for a peaceful moment after the museum.
2. Name: Sedlec Ossuary (Bone Church) Type: Macabre Art Experience Why go: This chapel is decorated with the bones of over 40,000 people. It includes a massive bone chandelier and a coat of arms. Best for: Fans of the gothic and unusual. Where: Kutná Hora. Time: Full day. Cost: Around 150-200 CZK. Getting there: Take a direct train from Prague Main Station (Hlavní nádraží). Tip: Combine this with a visit to the stunning St. Barbara’s Cathedral in the same town.

Planning Your Prague Art Walk

Seeing these quirky statues and art installations is easy with a plan. Most are located in the walkable historic center. You can see at least five or six in a single afternoon. Wear comfortable shoes as Prague's cobblestones can be tough on feet. Use the efficient tram system for longer distances between the New Town and Smíchov.

Most public art is accessible 24/7. However, moving pieces like Kafka’s Head might have specific schedules. Always check if a gallery like Futura is open before visiting. For more historical context, read about communist history attractions in Prague. This will help you understand the satirical roots of many pieces.

Photography is generally encouraged at these sites. Early morning light is best for the outdoor sculptures. You will avoid the largest crowds if you go before 10 AM. Remember to respect the art and the surrounding areas. Some installations are near quiet residential zones or theaters. Enjoy the unique creative spirit that makes Prague so special.