Airport tower in Kbely, Water tower and aviation beacon in Kbely, Prague, Czech Republic
The Airport Tower in Kbely is a 43-meter tall structure featuring clean lines and functional design typical of modern architecture. The building displays the geometric simplicity that made it effective for aviation operations during its era.
The tower was built in 1927 and marked the start of organized air traffic control in Czechoslovakia. This moment reflected the rapid growth of aviation during that period in Central Europe.
The tower's silhouette appears on the coat of arms of the Kbely district, and since 2004 the building has been a listed cultural monument owned by the Czech state and managed by the Ministry of Defence. Four sculptures with aviation themes by sculptor Jan Lauda are set on the facade. The architect was Otakar Novotný, whose design carries features of Modernism.
The tower stands in Kbely, Prague 19, at the edge of the former Prague-Kbely airfield, now the military airfield area. It is a state-owned building managed by the Ministry of Defence and is not open to the public inside; the exterior, including the four aviation sculptures by Jan Lauda, can be viewed from the surrounding streets.
The structure served dual functions as both an air traffic beacon and water storage facility for the airport. This practical combination made it an inventive solution for managing aviation infrastructure efficiently.
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