Great Strahov Stadium, Prague

Great Strahov Stadium, nestled within the picturesque city of Prague, Czech Republic, stands as a colossal relic of the country's communist past. This massive stadium, once the world's largest, has a history that is as grand as its scale.

Constructed in the 1920s, the stadium was originally built for Sokol gymnastics displays, a movement emphasizing physical education, nationalism, and community. Throughout the years, it was expanded and reconstructed, eventually reaching its peak size in the 1970s under the communist regime. It was during this time that it became famed for hosting the Spartakiad events, mass gymnastics spectacles that were a testament to the power and unity of the Eastern Bloc.

With a seating capacity that soared to around 220,000, the Great Strahov Stadium was a sight to behold. Its vast field, surrounded by tiered seating that climbs up the adjacent Petřín hill, provided a monumental space for synchronized gymnastic routines involving tens of thousands of participants.

Today, the stadium is no longer used for large sporting events. Instead, it serves as a training center for football teams and is often used for concerts and other cultural events. The sheer enormity of the stadium makes it an intriguing site for tourists who are interested in 20th-century history and architecture.