Strahov Stadium: a colossal monument to the past and an uncertain future
Strahov Stadium is an imposing relic of the past. Once the largest stadium in the world by area, it has seen a remarkable evolution—from a stage for nationalistic gymnastics festivals to a propaganda tool of communist mass exercises, from a rock concert venue to its current uncertain fate. Despite numerous proposals to repurpose it, Strahov remains an enigmatic and largely forgotten part of the city.
A stadium steeped in history
Strahov Stadium’s origins date back to 1926, when it was constructed for the Sokol movement, a Czech national fitness organization inspired by Germany’s Turner movement. The goal was to demonstrate not just physical strength but also national unity through mass gymnastics performances. By the 1930s, the stadium had grown into a vast complex, hosting major Sokol gatherings and national celebrations, such as the 1,000th anniversary of Saint Wenceslaus’s death in 1929.
However, its role changed dramatically during World War II. In 1939, the Nazi occupiers held military demonstrations here for Hitler’s 50th birthday. Later, the stadium became a holding area for Jewish citizens before their deportation to concentration camps. After the war, it was used as a temporary detention center for German-speaking Czechs awaiting expulsion.
The communist era and the Spartakiády phenomenon
In 1948, Czechoslovakia fell under communist rule, and the Sokol movement was banned. The stadium was repurposed for the Spartakiády—mass synchronized gymnastics events held every five years between 1955 and 1985. These displays, featuring tens of thousands of participants, were not just sporting spectacles but powerful tools of communist propaganda, designed to showcase the unity and strength of the socialist state.
For thousands of Czech schoolchildren, participation in Spartakiáda was a defining moment. I myself took part in the 1980 event as a 13-year-old. While I now understand its ideological role, at the time it was an exhilarating and nearly life-changing experience. Spending ten days in Prague, practicing for the event, and exploring the city left an indelible mark on me. It was a rare opportunity to see beyond my small hometown and feel connected to something greater.
A shift from politics to rock and religion
With the fall of communism in 1989, Spartakiády became obsolete. The final planned event in 1990 was canceled, as neither the new democratic government nor the city saw any purpose in continuing such state-orchestrated mass displays. Strahov’s days as a propaganda venue were over, but its vast space soon found a new use—hosting some of the largest concerts in Czech history.
In 1990, The Rolling Stones played to a crowd of 100,000, with newly elected President Václav Havel in attendance. They returned in 1995, attracting an even larger audience of 127,000. Other iconic bands, including U2, Pink Floyd, and Guns N’ Roses, followed. Even Pope John Paul II used the stadium in 1995 for a massive public mass, further cementing its role as a space for large-scale gatherings of all kinds.
A stadium without a clear future
As the years passed, newer venues took over Prague’s major concerts and events, and Strahov began to deteriorate. While still used as a training ground for AC Sparta Prague’s football academy, the stadium is largely underutilized. Some spaces within the complex have been rented out for various purposes, including business offices, driving schools, and even automotive testing.
The future of Strahov Stadium remains unclear. In 2022, the City of Prague signed a memorandum of cooperation with the Czech Technical University (ČVUT) and private sector partners to transform the stadium into a technological and innovation hub. ČVUT has already begun using office space in the eastern stands, and entrepreneur Josef Průša aims to establish a startup laboratory there. Yet, the sheer size of the stadium presents a significant challenge—revitalizing it will require substantial investment, and there is no singular vision that has gained consensus.
For now, Strahov remains a place suspended between its grand past and an uncertain future. Visitors who make the trek up Petřín Hill will find a monument to past ideologies, mass spectacles, and rock-and-roll euphoria—a place that has meant many different things to different generations.
Fact Box
- Location: Strahov (behind Petřín Hill)
- Beginning of construction: 1926
- Capacity: Originally up to 250,000 spectators
- Historic Uses: Sokol festivals, Nazi military display, Jewish deportation center, Spartakiády, rock concerts, religious gatherings
Notable Events:
- Spartakiády (1955–1985)
- The Rolling Stones concerts (1990, 1995)
- Pope John Paul II mass (1995)
- Current Status: Training ground for AC Sparta Prague, partial business rentals, proposed technology hub
- Future Plans: Potential transformation into a technological innovation center in collaboration with ČVUT and private partners
How to get there:
- Easy walk not far from Petřín Hill, come 2,5 km from Prague Castle
- By bus 143, 149 (from Dejvická Metro station), or 179, 910 (from Anděl Metro station)
