Plavecký stadion Podolí Building complex

Plavecký stadion Podolí is an important Prague sports and recreational monument located in the village Praha-Podolí. This complex of buildings was opened to the public on 24 June 1965 and is known for its scope and facilities, which includes an indoor swimming pool of 50 meters, two outdoor pools with one diving tower, a relaxation pool and other recreational facilities. The area has been protected as a cultural monument since 10 December 2020.

Construction of swimming stadium The ground was started in 1959 at the site of the former limestone quarry, which, after mining, served as a temporary landfill of ash and construction waste. The author of the design was Czech architect Richard Podzemný, who effectively used the space for both swimming pools with bleachers. At the time of construction of the stadium, intensive development efforts took place in Czechoslovakia with emphasis on sport and recreational facilities, reflecting the ambitious nature of the project.

Architecturally, the stadium is interesting with its functionality. The roof of the indoor swimming pool also served as a bleachers for the outdoor swimming pool, which was an innovative solution using limited space. In 2019, the children's pool was reconstructed and now has water depth from 0.01 to 0.8 meters. The stadium is designed to host the Olympic Games, which reflects its size and amenities.

Plavecký stadion Podolí has undergone several key events throughout its history. In 1991, British Princess Diana swam here, which contributed to his international reputation. In 2009 he hosted the European Junior Swimming Championships and is a regular place for the organisation of the Summer Swimming Championships.

The stadium has an interesting technological connection with the Czech Television complex in the Caucasus Mountains. Since the mid-1980s, the swimming area has been connected by pipeline to this area, where water from Podoli serves to cool television technologies and hot water returns to Podolí for swimming pools. The temperature in the swimming pools never falls below 26 degrees Celsius, which ensures ideal conditions for swimming throughout the year.

Today is the swimming stadium It offers a popular recreation centre with an average daily visit of about 2500 people, which represents a million visitors per year. Most people visited the stadium in 1973 when there were more than 2.3 million visitors per year. The current state and monument status make this area not only an important sport infrastructure but also a cultural heritage.

Plavecký stadion Podolí is therefore an important Prague monument that combines historical architecture with modern recreational possibilities. Its unique connection with the Czech Television complex and the ability to host large sports events makes this stadium an essential place for lovers of swimming sports and recreational activities. Visitors have the opportunity to look at the historical building while enjoying modern swimming pools with high standards.