To visit the Czech capital and not see the famous singing fountains in Prague - this means not to see one of the most famous sights of the city, which even in itself is one holistic landmark of architecture and history.
History of Singing Fountains
The fountains were created by Františk Krzyžyk, a talented engineer who is also known in his homeland as the “Czech Edison” and in whose honor the fountains are also called Krzyžykov. Construction was timed to coincide with the First Czech Industrial Exhibition. According to the project of the inventor in 1891, a singing fountain with electric lighting was created. The bottom of the fountain was illuminated with 50 lights, and high-speed pumps pumped 250 liters of water per second, all this was a real sensation in those days.
At the end of the last century, the fountain complex was reconstructed with the direct participation of the famous architect Z. Staszek. Thanks to the use of modern computer technology, it became possible to enjoy not only the play of light, water, music, but also to create bright unforgettable shows using video effects. Colorful videos are played on the water screen created in 2000.
Description of the complex
The fountain complex has no analogues throughout Europe. The pool of Prague's singing fountains is very impressive: it is 25 meters long and 45 meters wide. 50 pumps supply water through a pipe with a total length of 2 km. The pipe has many layering, equipped with almost a thousand light spotlights. 3000 sprays throw up the exuberant energy of water, while changing the pressure and height of the jets to the beat of the music, creating stunning shapes and shapes. Illuminated spotlights with 1200 colors, turn the fountains into a grand spectacle of incredible beauty.
In the middle of the pool is a stage where colorful performances take place. So, for example, the great ballet Swan Lake by P. I. Tchaikovsky performed by the Czech ballet will not leave indifferent either children or adults.
The pool is surrounded by an amphitheater made to the ancient style, on the bench-steps of which are all who wish to watch a fascinating show.
Sometimes more than 6 thousand spectators gather here. I would like to give only one little advice: taking places in the amphitheater, try to avoid the first row, otherwise there is a great chance of getting wet from small flying splashes of singing fountains. Prague is rightfully proud of its unique, fantastically attractive attraction.
Repertoire
The repertoire of křizhikovyh singing fountains in Prague is quite diverse: from classical melodies from ballet or opera to musical compositions of modern styles. Water creates a delightful imitation of dance to fragments of enchanting music:
- classical composers (Mozart, Vivaldi, Dvorak, Sour Cream, Ega, Tchaikovsky, etc.);
- rock musicians and bands (Freddie Mercury, Scorpions, Metallica);
- world famous pop artists (ABBA, Michael Jackson, Britney Spears, Jennifer Lopez, Pink, Rihanna, etc.)
For the musical accompaniment of the water extravaganza, soundtracks to such popular films as Star Wars, The Titanic, The Mask of Zorro, etc. are used.
In addition to dancing jets of water performed to the beat of music, performances of Czech ballet and opera artists are taking place on the stage in the middle of the pool.
The repertoire includes Tchaikovsky’s ballets The Nutcracker, The Little Mermaid, Romeo and Juliet, and ballet productions based on contemporary films and musicals Notre Dame de Paris, Beauty, Ghost. The best rock compositions performed by the London Symphony Orchestra and opera performances of Il Divo voices sound here.
On the water wall, replacing the screen of the cinema, projected videos showing the beauty of Czech nature, scenes from famous animated films and feature films, concerts, backlit, music. A series of famous paintings creates the perfect backdrop for water shows.
New programs and shows are added weekly, information about them is available on the official website. Each viewer will find the most suitable representation for their interests.
Where are the singing fountains?
To the tourist’s question about where in Prague there are fountains, every citizen will immediately give an answer, because this is one of the favorite places of recreation not only for guests of the capital, but also for the residents of the city. This is one of the main goals when visiting the Vystaviste Park Complex.
There are singing fountains in Prague at the address: Fair Square Vystaviste, U Výstaviště 1/20, Praha 7, 170 05. The complex is located behind the exhibition pavilions of the center. Another name for the Prague 7 area is Holesovice.
How to get there
So, you decided to visit the magnificent show of singing fountains in Prague. How to get to them? Not at all difficult!
From the city center (areas Praha 1 and Praha 2) you can get to Holesovice:
- by metro - the most convenient way: the red line C to the station Nádraží Holešovice (final), then about 10 - 15 minutes on foot (this is about 1200 m);
- on tram No. 12, 24 (from almost anywhere in the city), also No. 5, 17, 53, 54, 91 (depending on the starting point): Vystaviste Holesovice stop;
- by taxi or rented car, you can reach the destination in 15-20 minutes.
timetable
All performances are held in the open air.
This determines the schedule of the singing fountains in Prague: performances are shown from March to October. During the day, you can visit the singing fountains for free, but to see a show gathering thousands of spectators will be possible only in the evening, after dark.
The magic show usually starts at 20:00. The duration of each is at least 40 minutes. Three to four shows are shown every night. After the presentation, it is possible to buy a DVD with the recording of one of the shows. But the recording, of course, cannot be compared with the sensations experienced while watching the live show.
Detailed information on the schedule of current submissions can be obtained on the official website.
Useful information and tips
The ticket price is about € 10 (230 CZK). It is better to purchase tickets yourself, which will be significantly cheaper, because the cost of a ticket purchased through an agency can exceed its real cost even three times (from € 20 to 30).
Places on tickets are not indicated. But as mentioned above, to take places in the forefront is not recommended due to the ingress of water on clothes. Better centered behind a white railing.
It is better to plan a visit to performances by familiarizing yourself with their schedule in advance: from the whole variety you can always choose the most suitable and closest option for yourself.
Romantics and simply connoisseurs of beauty and wonderful music are sure to see Prague's singing fountains. Having visited them once, I want to come here again and again. Moreover, due to the huge variety of the program, its constant updating and addition, each new visit to the fountains guarantees the enjoyment of a new sight, but invariably magical and unique in its charm.