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Of the many strange structures around the world, the most well known is sure to be The Leaning Tower of Pisa. A mystifying phenomenon for sure but there are numerous other structures around the world equally perplexing.

Have you heard of The Tancici Dum, also known as the Dancing Building? This bizarre structure stands in New Town Prague, the capital city of the Czech Republic, and is nicknamed "Fred and Ginger" due to its apparent "impersonation" of the dancing duo.

Frank Gehry and Vladamir Milunic, the building's designers, broke ground on The Dancing Building in 1992 and completed its construction four years later. The building was designed to satisfy a space in the center of Prague that was left bare from a bombing during World War II.

The Dancing Building was not erected without controversy however. The structure's unique engineering has caused some discomfort amongst the Prague locals who are unsure of its true stability.

Tourists on the other-hand are quite awe-struck by the extraordinary way in which The Dancing Building's architecture leans and bends. It appears as if "Ginger" is being held quite firmly against her dancing counterpart "Fred." As the two gracefully waltz on the corner of Resslova Street and Rasinovo nabrezi, they are targeted by the many tourists who are compelled to capture the structures unique choreography with a snapshot or two.

"Fred and Ginger" have more to offer than it's one-of-a-kind framework however. On the top floor of the building is one of Prague's finest dining establishments. La Perle de Prague or in translation, The Pearl of Prague rests on the seventh story and offers a magnificent view.

The restaurant is patronized by both Europeans and globetrotters alike, who can afford to spend a pretty penny. In fact, many of La Perle de Pragues clientele go their to flaunt just how affluent they are. Others visit the establishment to celebrate an event or to propose to a loved one in style.

Whether you choose to call it "Tancici Dum", "The Dancing Building", or "Fred and Ginger", the designer, Vladamir Milunic himself sums up his structure's appearance in his own words -

"The building had to reflect the situation of a Czechoslovak society who had forgotten the totalitarian past and moved into a world full of change. My idea was to have a building with two different parts in dialogue, like static and dynamic, like plus and minus, like ying and yang ... "

It seems by all appearances that it is in fact, "mission accomplished."

Resources:
http:/ /goeasteurope.about.com/od/cze chrepublic/ss/praguephototour_ 9.htm
http://www.radio.cz/en/ar ticle/42866

Learn more about this author, Tonya Barton.
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