articles

December 12, 2018
Museum of Decorative Arts – House at the Black Madonna (Uměleckoprůmyslové museum – Dům U Černé Matky Boží)

Museum of Decorative Arts – House at the Black Madonna (Uměleckoprůmyslové museum – Dům U Černé Matky Boží)

A masterpiece of Czech Cubist architecture, the building was constructed from 1911–1912 according to designs by the Czech architect Josef Gočár. It’s located in the Old Town between Celetná Street and Ovocný trh. Its name comes from the Baroque statue that is located on its corner. After a complete renovation the building has become home to a Museum of Decorative Arts exhibition about Cubism. Contacts Museum of Decorative Arts – House at the Black Madonna (Uměleckoprůmyslové museum – Dům U Černé Matky Boží) Ovocný trh 19 110 00 Praha 1- Staré Město +420 778 543 902 http://www.upm.cz http://www.czkubismus.cz/ info@upm.cz Object history The House at the Black Madonna The oldest Cubist house in Prague was built for the wholesale merchant František Josef Herbst according to a project of the then thirty-one-year-old architect Josef Gočár in 1912. It was the first one to be built in the new […]
December 12, 2018
Municipal House (Obecní dům)

Municipal House (Obecní dům)

This Art Nouveau building, built from 1905 to 1911, is proof of unprecedented artistic and craft skills and quality. The café, the French and the Pilsner restaurants, the American bar, the Lord Mayor’s Salon and the Smetana Hall are all examples of perfectly executed Art Nouveau interiors, decorated by leading artists and sculptors such as Alfons Mucha, Jan Preisler, Ladislav Šaloun, and others. Lovers of Art Nouveau can take a guided tour of the whole building. Contacts Municipal House (Obecní dům) náměstí Republiky 5 111 21 Praha 1- Staré Město +420 222 002 101 +420 222 002 107 http://www.obecnidum.cz info@obecnidum.cz Object history The Municipal House stands at the site of the royal residence called King’s Court. It was a building from the time of Wenceslas IV around 1383, which served as an interim dwelling of King Zikmund; Ladislav Pohrobek died here and […]
December 12, 2018
Memorial of National Literature – Hvězda Summer Palace (Památník národního písemnictví – Letohrádek Hvězda)

Memorial of National Literature – Hvězda Summer Palace (Památník národního písemnictví – Letohrádek Hvězda)

This two-storey Renaissance summer palace was built in the shape of a six-pointed star, and the interior features rich stucco decoration. The exhibition presents the architectural development of the summer palace and the Battle of White Mountain, which took place in 1620, not far from here. The Hvězda Summer Palace is a national cultural monument. It stands in the game reserve of the same name, and exhibitions, concerts and lectures are held here. Contacts Memorial of National Literature – Hvězda Summer Palace (Památník národního písemnictví – Letohrádek Hvězda) Liboc 25c 160 00 Praha 6- Liboc +420 220 612 230 +420 731 448 562 http://www.pamatniknarodnihopisemnictvi.cz/letohradek-hvezda/ pokladna.hvezda@pamatnik-np.cz Object history Hvězda Summer House The summer house and its symbolism The summer house was built not only as a “utility building”, but thanks to the author of the project and the builder Ferdinand Tyrolský also as a “philosopher’s […]
December 12, 2018
Malostranská beseda

Malostranská beseda

This late Renaissance building served as the town hall of the Lesser Town from the late 15th century until 1784. It has been rebuilt a number of times over the centuries and the most recent reconstruction returned its original appearance with towers and dormers from the 17th century. In 1868, the Malostranská beseda was established in the building and continues to offer a rich variety of cultural activities and catering services to this day. Contacts Malostranská beseda Malostranské náměstí 21 118 00 Praha 1- Malá Strana http://www.malostranska-beseda.cz Object history In 1257 Přemysl Otakar II. Founded Prague’s New Town under the Prague Castle. He chased the original Czech population away and brought the German colonists here. When Karel IV. established its magnificent Prague New Town, the original Prague New Town was renamed to Malá Strana (Lesser Town). Initially town representatives assembled in the […]
December 12, 2018
Machine House & Boiler Room (Kotelna)

Machine House & Boiler Room (Kotelna)

These modern office buildings boast preserved factory exteriors including an imposing chimney; they were originally part of the ČKD factory. Contacts Machine House & Boiler Room (Kotelna) Pernerova 186 00 Praha 8- Karlín Source: https://www.prague.eu/en/object/places/2588/machine-house-boiler-room-kotelna
December 12, 2018
Letenský Chateau (Letenský zámeček)

Letenský Chateau (Letenský zámeček)

On a picturesque site in the heart of the Letná Park directly above the Old Town, an impressive neo-Renaissance building rose in the style of an Italian villa in 1863. It offered the city’s elite a favourite place to sit and refresh themselves. Even today you can find four restaurants in various styles and, in particular, a wonderful view of Prague laid out before your eyes.   Contacts Letenský Chateau (Letenský zámeček) Letenské sady 341 170 00 Praha 7- Holešovice Object history The Letná Chateau is a new-Renaissance house built in an Italian villa style in 1863 according to a project of architect Vojtěch Ignác Ullmann. It has been the dominant of the Letná Parks for over 140 years now, and it is a popular trip spot of the Prague citizens. As early as in 1715, there was an observation summer house named Belvedér on the […]
December 12, 2018
Kramář Villa

Kramář Villa (Kramářova vila)

The neo-Baroque villa with typical Art Nouveau elements has over 700 m2 of floor space and 56 rooms. Built between 1911 and 1914 by Karel Kramář, a politician and the future first Czechoslovak prime minister, it is considered to be one of the most imposing examples of Prague villa architecture. Since 1998, the villa, with its unique interiors and surrounding French-style gardens, has been the official residence of the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic. Contacts Kramář Villa (Kramářova vila) Gogolova 212/1 118 00 Praha 1- Hradčany http://www.vlada.cz Object history The Kramář Villa (Kramářova vila) was built at the site of the Prague city walls called Mariánské hradby, namely at the place of the bastion of St. Thomas. After the Prague Municipality had the walls pulled down, it sold the place out as the building sites. Karel Kramář purchased the lot for the […]
December 12, 2018
Kovařovic Villa

Kovařovic Villa

Fans of modern architecture will be impressed by the Kovařovic Villa, which, together with its garden, is a masterpiece of Czech Cubism. Contacts Kovařovic Villa Libušina 49/3 Praha 2- Vyšehrad Source: https://www.prague.eu/en/object/places/2570/kovarovic-villa
December 12, 2018
Karolinum

Karolinum

This unique monument has been a part of Charles University since 1383, when Wenceslas IV, the son of the university’s founder, secured one of the most imposing palaces in the Old Town for use as a dormitory. Today, the Karolinum’s appearance is primarily Baroque. The central interior space, the Aula Magna, is used for commencement ceremonies and other official gatherings. The Karolinum Cloisters are used for exhibitions of contemporary art. Contacts Karolinum Ovocný trh 3 110 00 Praha 1- Staré Město +420 224 491 248 http://www.cuni.cz/UK-1436.html pr@cuni.cz Object history Since the 14th century this extensive block of buildings houses Charles University – the oldest university in the Central Europe. On the first floor there is a large assembly hall which is used for special celebrations (graduation ceremonies etc.). The baroque facade is a result of the renovations from the year 1718. There is a gallery […]
December 12, 2018
Karel Mašek Villa

Karel Mašek Villa

At No. 7 stands the villa of Art Nouveau artist and architect Karel Mašek. It‘s stylistically similar to that of Jan Koula, but even more ornate. Of special significance are the painting and modelling of the columns. Contacts Karel Mašek Villa Slavíčkova 7 Praha 6- Bubeneč Source: https://www.prague.eu/en/object/places/2962/karel-masek-villa