Zvuky Prahy / Sounds of Prague

Stadion Strahov, where the famous Spartakiada mass performance manifestations took place in the past, Fragment of the radio bradcast from 1985 expanded by the recent field recording from the environment of the gigantic complex from 2007. The Strahov Stadium used to be the biggest and later the second largest stadium in the world after the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. It could offer a place to 360,000 visitors. The construction began on a wooden stadium in 1926, and was replaced by concret grandstands in 1932. Later extentions occurred in 1948 and 1975. The colloseum surrounded by seating on all sides, has 63,500 square metres. Today the stadium belongs to Sparta Prague as a training centre with 8 football pitches (6 pitches of standard sizes and 2 futsal pitches). The original building served as a venue for the synchronized performances of Sokol gymnastics on a massive scale. It was later used for large manifestation during the communist era. Performances with several thousend gymnasts performing complex formations and exercising synchronized movement accompanied by music attracted attention of broad public. Among the widely popular shows were those of young well-trained recruits who wore only boxer shorts or women exercising in miniskirts...The groups of gymnasts (unlike the soldiers who were ordered to practise and participate) were put together from keen local athletic association members who regularly trained for the show throughout the year prior to the event, which repeated every five years. The name of the performance, Spartakiáda, referred to power and strength of slaves led by Spartacus. The stadium is located on a Strahov hill overlooking the city. It can be accessed by taking the funicular up the hill through the gardens and in the neighbourhood are buildings of Technical University college.