Metronome – Stalin Monument in Prague

The Metronome of Prague is a kinetic sculpture by Vratislav Novák, installed at the place of the former Stalin Monument above Čech Bridge in Letná, Prague, in 1991. The author, Vratislav Karel Novák, is a sculptor and professor of the Academy of Arts, Design and Architecture in Prague. Every year the New Year’s fireworks of Prague are launched at that place. Unfortunately, the Metronome is struck by defects and failures more and more often so it is sometimes out of order for many weeks. Together with the pendulum it is 25 metres high and weighs 7 tonnes. The machine propelling the individual parts of the Metronome is hidden in a three-sided pyramid. The pendulum with a 60º swing is balanced out by a scale beam with a weight of two tonnes. At present, the whole area is a paradise of skateboarders.