Head of Franz Kafka: Technical Marvel in the Heart of Prague
Head of Franz Kafka statue is an outdoor sculpture and a technical marvel depicting a Bohemian-German writer Franz Kafka near Narodni Trida in Prague, Czech Republic. It is a must-see thing while exploring the capital of Czechia.
A moving statue of Franz Kafka in Prague's city center is a superb example of modern art in the capital of Czechia. The statue was also erected fairly recently, so if you have an outdated Prague travel guide, you won't find it there.
Franz Kafka, a famous writer, was born in Prague in the Old Town in 1883 and is considered one of the greatest and most influential authors of the 20th century.
The world-known author of novels such as The Castle, Trial, Amerika, or novella The Metamorphosis, is also one of our all-time favorite authors, and we love his books and consider them brilliant, although it is not light reading.
His work is truly unique, and if you haven't read anything from this author yet, you should bring his book such as The Trial with you on your trip to Prague to make your experience even more authentic.
You will find more houses and sculptures around Prague connected to the writer, and you can also visit the Franz Kafka Museum that is dedicated to his life and work.
We were quite surprised when the new sculpture depicting Franz Kafka was revealed in the city center, and knew from the start that this piece of art will be something a little bit different from what would you normally expect from a statue in the historical part of Prague.
That's why we were not really that much surprised that this sight made it on every travelers' Prague itineraries and lists of free things to do in Prague.
HEAD OF FRANZ KAFKA STATUE
The statue is very modern, made of steel, and most importantly, it's moving, rotating and changing!
Forty-two layers and built-in motors ensure that the statue is constantly rotating, stopping for only a brief moment to start moving once again.
When it comes to modern art in Prague, because of UNESCO, you won't find many contemporary buildings or architectural objects when roaming the city, at least not in the historical center or anywhere near the area.
Yes, you can visit the DOX Centre for Contemporary Art, and you will probably visit the famous Dancing House, but to be honest, you won't have many chances to see attractions which are not several centuries old in the heart of Prague.
However, in 2014, a prolific Czech artist David Cerny created a giant statue of Bohemian-German writer Franz Kafka to commemorate this wonderful literature author. It has a brilliant smart shiny design, and we must admit that it's really cool.
The Head of Franz Kafka is one of the top attractions in Prague and a perfect example that a piece of contemporary art together with a modern shopping mall, and a few cafes can turn a dirty and shady spot into a must-visit place in Prague.
There are two cafes on the small plaza just outside the shopping mall Quadrio where you can sit and enjoy the process of deconstructing and reconstructing of the head all over again.
Once in a while, the impressive show stops, and you can see the head of Franz Kafka in its final form.
Some people like to have only a quick look, take some photos or selfies, others stay there longer and enjoy the process several times.
If you're a technical person, you will have a blast as the mechanism is quite fascinating, so it might happen that the statue will not be only a short stop on your walk around the city (don't forget to visit National Technical Museum on Letna in case technics is your thing).
Even us, who've seen the statue altering its form many times, like to come from time to time to enjoy the process of transformation once again. It's a really fascinating and soothing experience.
What we love about the statue the most is that you don't have to be an art enthusiast to appreciate and understand this piece of art.
Especially if you are familiar with Kafka's work, you will understand even more why it does what it does.
The statue is also very different from others we've seen around Europe, and we think, it's definitely worth visiting. Also, it's public art, therefore everyone can see it, there is no entrance fee, so it's a perfect place to visit for budget travelers in Prague.
While in the area, don't forget to stop by and enjoy this place, especially if it’s your first time in Prague.
HOW TO GET TO HEAD OF FRANZ KAFKA STATUE
Amazing moving Kafka Head sculpture is easily accessible by public transport - by both metro and tram.
You will find it on the corner of Charvatova and Vladislavova street just behind the new Quadrio shopping mall.
To get there by tram, take the tram route 22 and get off at Narodni Trida stop.
You can reach the place also by using metro ( Yellow Line B), and in case you will choose this option, get off at the same-named stop, Narodni Trida.
The escalator will take you back to the surface, and you will emerge in front of the shopping mall, a short walk from the statue.
The statue is within walking distance (10 minutes) from other Prague's top attractions such as the National Theatre, Wenceslas Square or Old Town Square.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
WHERE TO STAY
Franz Kafka Head is located in one of the best areas in Prague, so staying nearby is the perfect choice for all travelers.
All three hotels we've picked are very nice, and the location close to Narodni Trida metro and tram stop is very convenient.
Check out our favorite picks for the best hotels near Franz Kafka Head statue in Prague.
Budget | Elite Hotel - A beautiful historical baroque house is a home to a quiet budget hotel with nice and clean rooms, comfy beds, and helpful staff. Hard to beat for the price and location.
Mid-range | Jungmann Hotel - Perfect choice for all travelers who want to stay in the city center near major sights and shopping malls for a reasonable price.
Luxury | Michelangelo Grand Hotel - A luxury five-star hotel with superb location, Michelangelo Grand Hotel will be a perfect fit for people who like stylish rooms with nice furniture, excellent cleanliness, and attentive staff. From the hotel, you will have easy access to the tram and metro and other city sights.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Get Around: Buses and trains are an affordable way to get around the Czech Republic. Regiojet offers clean and modern buses and trains with all the amenities.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
