What is the babies crawling on Zizkov tower meaning?

The giant babies, known as "Miminka," were first installed in 2000. They were part of Prague's year as the European Capital of Culture. Artist David Cerny created them to make the tower more approachable. Many locals originally disliked the tower's high-tech, communist-era architecture. The sculptures helped transform the building into a piece of modern art. You can find more details in our Zizkov Television Tower guide.

If you look closely, the babies do not have faces. Instead, their faces are replaced by stamped barcodes. This design is a core part of the babies crawling on Zizkov tower meaning. It represents the dehumanization of society in the digital age. It also comments on the loss of individuality in a commercial world. The babies appear to be climbing toward a future that is both innocent and mechanical.

The installation was meant to be temporary at first. However, the public grew to love the quirky addition. The ten fiberglass sculptures became a permanent fixture in 2001. They were even removed and replaced with more durable versions recently. This ensures they will remain a staple of the Prague skyline for years. Exploring these figures is one of the most unusual things to do in Prague.

10 Must-See Highlights Near the Zizkov Tower

Zizkov is a vibrant district full of character and history. Beyond the tower, the area offers unique parks and cultural sites. Here are the top things to experience during your visit.

• Best overall: The Observatory
• Best for families: Tower Park Mini Golf
• Best rainy-day: Oblaca Restaurant
• Best free: Old Jewish Cemetery view

1. Name: The Miminka Sculptures Type: sight Why go: To see the famous faceless babies up close from the ground. Best for: Art lovers and photographers. Where: Attached to the tower columns. Time: 15 minutes. Cost: Free to view from outside. Tip: Use a zoom lens to see the barcode faces clearly.
2. Name: The Observatory Type: sight Why go: It offers 360-degree views of Prague from 93 meters high. Best for: Panoramic city views. Where: Inside the tower. Time: 1 hour. Cost: Check the latest entrance fee and hours. Tip: Visit at sunset for the most dramatic lighting.
3. Name: Oblaca Restaurant Type: experience Why go: Fine dining with the best view in the city. Best for: Romantic dinners or special occasions. Where: 66 meters up the tower. Time: 2 hours. Cost: Mid-to-high range. Tip: Book a window table well in advance.
4. Name: One Room Hotel Type: experience Why go: A luxury hotel suite located inside the tower itself. Best for: A unique, exclusive stay. Where: Higher than the restaurant level. Time: Overnight. Cost: High. Tip: This is a single-room hotel, so book months ahead.
5. Name: Tower Park Prague Type: activity Why go: A recreation area at the base of the tower with mini-golf. Best for: Families and casual travelers. Where: Directly below the tower. Time: 1-2 hours. Cost: Moderate for activities. Tip: The garden terrace is great for a quick snack.
6. Name: Old Jewish Cemetery in Zizkov Type: sight Why go: A historic site that predates the tower. Best for: History buffs. Where: Right next to the tower base. Time: 30 minutes. Cost: Free to see from the fence. Tip: It provides a stark contrast to the modern tower.
7. Name: Riegrovy Sady Type: nature Why go: One of Prague's best parks for a sunset beer. Best for: Relaxing like a local. Where: A 10-minute walk from the tower. Time: 1-3 hours. Cost: Free. Tip: The beer garden here is very popular in summer.
8. Name: Palác Akropolis Type: experience Why go: A cultural hub for music, theater, and independent art. Best for: Evening entertainment. Where: Zizkov neighborhood. Time: 2-4 hours. Cost: Varies by show. Tip: Check their schedule for international music acts.
9. Name: Kampa Park Babies Type: day trip Why go: See the bronze versions of the tower babies on the ground. Best for: Touching the sculptures for photos. Where: Near the Kampa Museum in Mala Strana. Time: 30 minutes. Cost: Free. Tip: You can learn more about these on a David Cerny sculptures tour.
10. Name: National Memorial on Vítkov Type: sight Why go: Features one of the largest equestrian statues in the world. Best for: History and hiking. Where: Vitkov Hill. Time: 2 hours. Cost: Free for grounds; fee for museum. Tip: Walk the ridge for amazing views of the tower.

How to plan your visit to the Zizkov Tower

Getting to the tower is easy from the city center. You can take the Green Metro Line A to the Jiriho z Podebrad station. From there, it is a short five-minute walk through the neighborhood. Many visitors enjoy exploring the local cafes along the way. You can also find more travel tips on the official city tourism portal.

The tower is open late into the evening. This makes it a great spot for night photography. The structure is lit up with the colors of the Czech flag at night. For more information on the city's history, visit the Prague Wikipedia page. Always check the weather before heading to the observatory for the best visibility.