The Pink Tank of Prague: When Protest Met Paint

The pink tank of Prague is one of the more unusual sights in the city. And, it's got a curious story to tell that combines WWII, the fall of Communism, protest and paint.

Before I begin, I want to make one clarification.

As you can see from the photo above, today's pink tank of Prague is not the original one that created our curious story. It's more of a symbolic portion that reminds us of the original story.

Regardless, I love the quirky and under-the-radar bits of the city just as much as the Gothic cathedrals and peaceful gardens.

Stuff like this is what makes Prague so fun and surprising.

Here's why you shouldn't miss seeing this curiosity.

A Tank with a Past

Let’s rewind to 1945.

World War II had just ended, and Prague was liberated from Nazi occupation by the Soviet Red Army. To commemorate the victory (and the Soviets’ role in it), a hulking IS-2 tank was hoisted onto a pedestal in July of that same year.

This monument stood on what was then called Square of Soviet Tank Crews, which is now Kinský Square. And it was meant to symbolize the liberation and freedom that was secured by Soviet forces. Nazi rule was over, thanks to the Red Army.

However, over time, that symbolism started to sour.

After all, post-war "liberation" descended into decades of Soviet dominance. So what once seemed like a tribute began to feel more like a reminder of oppression - at least to some people.

Photo: FORTEPAN / Gyöngyi, CC BY-SA 3.0, Creative Commons - license

Enter: David Černý and a Can of Pink Paint

Fast forward to 1991.

The Berlin Wall had fallen and Czechoslovakia had peacefully overthrown its communist government during the Velvet Revolution. And people were rethinking a lot of things, including Soviet-era monuments.

Enter David Černý in April of 1991. This 23-year-old art student with a little rebellious streak was about to make a statement, and test the boundaries of the country's new government.

One night, he and a few friends crept up to the tank and  painted it pink. But that wasn't enough.

He also added a giant pink middle finger sticking up from the tank's turret.

Unfortunately for the group of friends, the authorities were not amused. Černý was arrested for "hooliganism," and the tank was quickly repainted back to its original military green.

Parliament to the Rescue?

Here’s where it gets even more interesting.

Just a couple of weeks later, a group of Czech parliamentarians repainted the tank pink again - as a protest of Černý’s arrest.

As if exhaling pent up frustration, the lawmakers took up paintbrushes for the sake of artistic freedom and political expression. It was one of those surreal, symbolic actions that the city and country had been waiting to express for a long time. And only-in-post-communist-Europe could it happen safely.

Soon after, the tank lost its status as a national cultural monument and was removed altogether in June 1991. First it was tucked away in an aviation museum, and later it landed in the Military Technical Museum Lešany, where it resides today.

But it's still pink, and still making a statement.

But Wait—There’s More to the Pink Tank of Prague

You thought the story ended there?

Not a chance.

Černý never quite let go of the pink tank of Prague. So in 2008, he created a new sculpture called Tank Torso, which is a sort of half-submerged, pink tank that looked like it was being swallowed by the earth.

It was a nod to the 1968 Warsaw Pact invasion, another chapter in Czech history where Russian tanks rolled in, but this time against the people.

Tank Torso had its own controversies, of course.

It was removed. Then reinstalled.

Then, it was even painted the blue and yellow colors of the Ukrainian flag, in solidarity with Ukraine after Russia’s invasion. The symbolism just keeps evolving.

Today the Tank Torso is back in pink and sits directly across the street from where the original tank once stood. 

Why it Matters

I'm not here to tell you what matters and what doesn't.

But, I can tell you how I feel about the so-called pink tank of Prague.

To me, it's not just about an old tank and a bucket of pink paint.

And it’s not just a tank either. It’s a reflective conversation - about history, about who gets to decide what we remember and how. It’s about turning a weapon of war into a work of art. And it’s about how one act of defiance can ripple through decades.

But it's also a reflection of Prague and its residents. These symbols however odd or benign they may seem, still matter to people. Everyday thousands of people pass by this protest and everyday it's a reminder of the past, the city's struggles, and the idea that change is possible.

And, funnily, the Pink Tank is a reminder that sometimes, the boldest protests don’t come with marches or speeches. Sometimes, they come in the form of a can of paint and a whole lot of guts.

How to Find It?

Seeing the pink tank in all its glory probably won't change your life, but who knows.

I do know that you can find it easily, and it fits into a string of nearby sights and places to visit - see below.

And, if you get to the tank, that means you've left the unofficial "tourist zone." Congratulations!

📍 Location:

The tank torso sits in the grass just outside the entrance to Kinský Garden (Kinského zahrada) in the district of Smíchov, which is in Prague 5.

This address will get you there: nám. Kinských, 150 00 Praha 5-Smíchov.

This peaceful park is on the western side of the Vltava River and just a short walk from the buzzing Anděl neighborhood and the base of the large green park, Petřín Hill. Actually, Kinský Garden and Petřín are connected by various walking paths.

The tank sits near the street, across from where the original once stood. Today, there is a fountain in place of the large pedestal that supported the Soviet tank.

🚋 How to Get There:

It's easy to get here...

• By tram: Take tram lines 9, 12, 15, or 20 to the Švandovo Divadlo stop. You can see the tank from here, just  a 1-minute walk away. Or, you can take 9, 12, 15, 20, or 22 to the stop Újezd tram stop and walk about 5 minutes south.

• By metro: Take Line B (yellow) to Anděl, then take either tram the 9, 12, 15, or 20 as mentioned above. Or, simply walk 10–15 minutes from the metro heading north on the left side of the road toward the park entrance.

Look for the sculpture nestled in a grassy area. It’s hard to miss, even in a city full of unexpected sights.

See the pink tank of Prague on my map of curious sights. Click on the purple map pins for more information on each.

This map is growing, so bookmark it for future reference.

Make a Day of It: Nearby Attractions

You probably won’t spend more than 15–20 minutes at the tank itself, but you’re in luck because this area is packed with things to see and do.

🗺️ Petřín Hill & Observation Tower
A short walk uphill will take you to one of Prague’s most scenic spots. You can climb the Petřín Lookout Tower (a mini Eiffel Tower) or just enjoy the panoramic views over the Old Town.

🌹 Kinský Garden
Even beyond the tank, the park itself is worth a stroll, less crowded than the main tourist routes, full of shady paths, fountains, playgrounds, and romantic corners.

🖼️ Hunger Wall
Another unusual story told through a physical wonder - but his one's got some age and wonder thrown in. If you're going to Petřín, then don't miss this marvel.

☕ Café Savoy
Head down the hill to this iconic Art Nouveau café for some of the best pastries and coffee in Prague. Pro tip: try the Savoy cake or their famous hot chocolate.

🛍️ Anděl District
Just around the corner is Anděl, a lively neighborhood with shops, bars, restaurants, and a great local vibe. It’s perfect for grabbing lunch or people-watching.

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