This, as you can guess, is not the best angle to take a photo of Strahov Stadium. And if you don't know it's there, as we didn't at the time, you won't understand its significance.
The facility was built for displays of gymnastics, one of Czechoslovakia's best sports. It is three times the size of a standard soccer field, and could seat 56,000 - but it could hold a quarter of million people when necessary. That was second only to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. It started as a soccer stadium in 1926, and was altered in 1932.
After 1989, Strahov Stadium hosted some rock concerts, including a memorable show by the Rolling Stones that drew 110,000. Other acts have played there as well.
There was talk of demolishing the place, but Strahov remains standing. It is a training facility for AC Sparta Prague. However, no one is allowed in the seats - it's not safe. Now efforts are underway to start to build a relatively big stadium (35K) next door. We'll see.
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