Emil Kolben memorial, Glass and steel monument in Vysocany district, Czech Republic
The Emil Kolben memorial is a glass, steel, and stone structure in the Vysocany district displaying photographs of Kolben and his industrial associates. Large transparent panels showcase the people involved in the area's manufacturing growth, held up by modern steel supports and anchored to a stone base.
Kolben founded the CKD manufacturing company in 1896 and collaborated with Thomas Edison before being imprisoned in a concentration camp where he died in 1943. The 2014 memorial honors his legacy and the industrial period he shaped in this district.
The memorial sits where Kolben's industrial operations once thrived, connecting visitors to the manufacturing heritage deeply rooted in this Prague neighborhood. It speaks to how local innovation shaped the district's identity for generations.
The monument sits near Kolbenova metro station on line B, making it accessible by public transport. It stands among new apartment buildings and near the former CKD factory grounds, so you can experience it alongside the surrounding architecture and industrial past.
The memorial was designed in 2014 by sculptor Martin Suchanek and deliberately combines three distinct materials to express both strength and openness. This choice reflects how innovation and durability were equally central to Kolben's industrial legacy.
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