Exciting New Carousel on Letná: A Must-Visit Destination for Kids and Adults from May to September

The Historic Carousel was crafted back in 1892 and entertained the people of Prague until 2004. From 1892 to 1894, it was situated at the “Na Kravíně” excursion inn, in what was then the independent municipality of Královské Vinohrady. In 1894, its owner, Josef Nebeský, transferred this temporary ride for both adults and children to Prague’s Letná, where it remains today.

In 2004, the carousel, which was in dire condition, was taken over by the National Technical Museum, which has been working on its restoration ever since. The first step was securing funding, which they successfully achieved. A public fundraising campaign organized in collaboration with the Prague 7 Municipality also helped to finance the repairs of the carousel’s interior. By 2015, the National Technical Museum had already rebuilt the structural and mechanical parts of the carousel. Initially, it was expected to complete the reconstruction by 2018, but unexpected technical issues delayed the process by two years. This beautifully restored carousel, now featuring revamped horses, made its first appearance on July 11, 2022, marking the 128th anniversary of its reinstallation on Letná and the 130th anniversary of its original creation and first installation in Královské Vinohrady.

Unique Carousel Kicks Off the New Season

Both children and adults can enjoy riding on the carousel’s horses and cars, as long as they weigh no more than 100 kg. The carousel operates on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays, from May through the end of September, between 11 am and 5 pm. You can buy a ticket for 120 CZK right on-site.

The carousel features an original Neo-Renaissance wooden pavilion with a triangular layout spanning 12 meters. It has a wooden beam structure topped with a pyramidal roof, which includes a lantern that reaches a height of 7.7 meters.

The interior of the Letná Carousel, along with the horses, harks back to the aristocratic entertainment of the 17th and 18th centuries. The center column of the carousel is adorned with three armored knights, and the rotating platform features 18 horse figures, which are complemented by new car models. The joy of riding the carousel is enhanced by the sounds of an orchestrion. Although the original orchestrion was lost, the NTM acquired an Atlantic orchestrion from Leipzig, crafted in 1910, for the carousel. This carousel is unique, especially due to the horse figures, which are covered in authentic horsehide.