Exciting Combat Shows Await at Tank Day in Lešany: Celebrate the 80th Anniversary of War’s
This year’s Tank Day at the Military Technical Museum in Lešany, which takes place on the last Saturday of the holidays, will be really special. This year, it’s happening on August 30, 2025. The day’s festivities will kick off with a parade of two aircraft, the JAS 39 Gripen, starting at 10:30 a.m. At 11:00 a.m., a selection of vintage aircraft from the VHÚ Praha collection, such as the LET C-11, Zlin Z-381, Aero C-104 S, Zlin Z-126 Trainer, and the Flight Z-37 A C3 Bumblebee, will perform. These flights will happen individually at intervals of around 10 to 15 minutes, depending on the weather conditions.
On land, visitors can look forward to a parade featuring over forty historic and modern armored vehicles. A key highlight of this year’s event will be the latest addition to the Czech Army’s fleet, the Leopard 2A4 tank, which will be showcased by soldiers from the 73rd Tank Battalion in Přáslavice. This tank will be displayed alongside its predecessor, the Leopard 1, and the American M60A1 Patton tank. Interestingly, the Leopard 1 replaced the Patton tanks in the Greek army. Both tanks now belong to the Military Historical Institute in Prague.
Visitors can also look forward to the traditional show demonstrating the training of service dogs from the Army of the Czech Republic, along with a fun contest for kids where winners will earn a chance to ride in historical combat vehicles.
On the front lines of the Second World War
Exciting demonstrations will take you back to the battlefields of World War II. The famous Soviet tank will be highlighted in specially arranged scenes. You can expect to see the T-34/85, the heavy tank IS-122, and the SU-100 self-propelled gun. There will also be equipment from the Western Allies, such as the light tank M3 Stuart and the tank destroyer M36 Jackson. Additionally, a replica of the German Panther tank, made from a VT-55 salvage tank will also be showcased.
At Tank Day, you can experience popular demonstrations that highlight various historical encampments from that era. The exhibitions throughout the area will remain open after the main events conclude until 5:30 p.m.;
The best way to get to the museum is by train
You can take a journey to Lesany via a special steam train from Vršovice or through the regular S8 line. Due to a lot of construction work near the Military Technical Museum in Lešany, we highly recommend that visitors travel by train. The Military Museum Lešany has arranged for a special steam train run by a locomotive named Bardot. This train leaves from Prague-Vršovice station at 7:45 a.m.; it will also stop for passengers at Praha-Braník (departing at 7:58) and then at Krhanice, which is the perfect starting point if you plan to visit Tank Day.
If you miss the steam train, there are other connection options available. Line S8 will take you to the Krhanice stop (it leaves from Praha hl.n. station and passes through Praha-Vršovice, Praha-Krč, Praha-Braník, Praha-Modřany zast., Praha-Komořany, and Praha-Zbraslav before arriving at Krhanice). From the train stop, there will be signs guiding you to the Military Technical Museum Lešany.
