Among the most unusual public artworks in Prague are the giant bronze babies created by controversial Czech artist David Černý. Officially known as the Miminka (Babies), these sculptures can be found crawling through Kampa Park, just a short walk from Charles Bridge.
Their distinctive design, with oversized bodies and faces marked by a barcode-like indentation, makes them some of the most photographed attractions in the city.
Five great things to do while you’re in Prague
- Discover Prague’s communist history and nuclear bunkers on a Cold War-themed tour.
- Let a knowledgeable guide explain the highlights on a Prague Castle tour.
- Learn Czechia’s World War II history on a day trip to the Terezin concentration camp.
- Combine Czech beer with some of Prague’s best dining on a food and beer tour.
- Cover more ground in less time on a Prague bike tour.
The story behind the babies
Černý originally designed the babies in 2000 as part of a temporary installation for Prague’s Žižkov Television Tower. The ten fibreglass sculptures were fixed to the tower to make the stark building appear less severe.
They became so popular that when they were removed for maintenance, public demand ensured their return.
To give visitors a closer look, three giant bronze versions were later installed permanently in Kampa Park next to the Kampa Museum.
What makes David Černý’s babies so controversial
David Černý has built his reputation on provocative public art that challenges Czech society and political norms. The giant babies exemplify his confrontational style – their faceless, barcode-marked heads sparked immediate debate about dehumanization, consumerism, and the loss of identity in modern society. Some critics found them disturbing, even grotesque. Others embraced them as bold commentary on how society treats the vulnerable.
The controversy intensified when Černý first proposed attaching them to the Žižkov Television Tower, already Prague’s most divisive structure. Built during the communist era, the 216-meter concrete tower looms over the city like a Soviet-era relic. Many Prague residents despised it.
By adding his bizarre babies, Černý transformed the unloved eyesore into something memorable – perhaps even beloved. His intervention proved so successful that when the original fibreglass sculptures needed maintenance and were removed, public outcry forced their permanent return.
Černý’s artistic philosophy centers on making people uncomfortable enough to think. The babies succeed brilliantly: children find them playful climbing frames while adults debate their meaning. The barcode indentations replacing human faces prompt questions about identity, conformity, and surveillance – themes that resonate in Prague, a city that endured decades behind the Iron Curtain. Whether you find them charming or unsettling, the babies accomplish what public art should: they provoke reaction and conversation.
Why visit the baby sculptures in Kampa Park?
- Unique design: Their head panels and outsized bodies are deliberately unsettling yet intriguing.
- Accessible location: Situated in leafy Kampa Park, it’s easy to combine a visit with a stroll along the Vltava River.
- Family-friendly: Children love climbing on the statues, making them a fun stop for families.
- Connection to the TV Tower: The originals still crawl up Prague’s Žižkov Television Tower, tying together two unusual landmarks.
- Great photo spot: The surreal look of the sculptures makes them a popular backdrop for photos.
How to visit the baby sculptures
The bronze babies are located in Kampa Park on Kampa Island, just below the Charles Bridge on the Mala Strana side of Prague. The park is open at all times and entry is free, making it one of the easiest attractions to include in your Prague itinerary.
For a complete Černý experience, consider also visiting the Žižkov Television Tower, where the original fibreglass versions can be seen climbing the exterior of the structure.
Other Černý installations in the capital of Czechia include the peeing statues outside the Kafka Museum.
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