Libeňský plynojem, Industrial gas holder in Libeň, Czech Republic.
Libeňský plynojem is a spherical gas holder in Libeň that stands on eight steel legs anchored to a circular concrete base. The structure spans approximately 20 meters in diameter and features a silvery coating that covers its exterior.
The structure was built in 1931 by the Vítkovice Mining and Iron Company using riveted construction techniques developed by ČKD. It originally stored illuminating gas that supplied nearby factories and residential areas.
The structure attracted avant-garde artists during the 1930s and 1940s, including painters František Gross and Václav Sivko who documented its distinctive form in their work. This artistic engagement shows how industrial architecture inspired the creative community of that era.
The site is easily accessible from Libeň and offers good viewing angles from multiple sides, with different perspectives depending on the time of day and lighting conditions. Visiting during daylight hours gives the best opportunity to see the silvery surface and steel structure clearly.
During the Prague Uprising, a cannon strike hit the sphere and left a hole about half a meter wide. Because the tank was nearly empty at the time, the impact did not cause an explosion and the structure survived intact.
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