Dům čp. 100 (Kadaň) House

Welcome to the heart of Kadana, the part called Old Town. Right now, you're standing in Žatecká Street, and in front of you is one of the most distinctive houses in the area, a house with the number 100. The first thing you're probably interested in is his corner position and a very high shield heading towards the sky. It is a building that carries layers of many centuries and tells the story of wealth, craftsmanship and the daily life of the people of this city. Stop for a moment, take a breath and let yourself be transferred to a time when these streets looked completely different, but this house was already a silent witness to history.

When we look at the origin of this place, we find that the house has its roots deep in the past. Its core is Gothic, which means the basic structures go back to the Middle Ages. At that time, the houses thus built were a symbol of the stability and status of their owners. This particular object has served for centuries as a residence for rich townsfolk who lived here, did business and influenced life in the city. Imagine the people who once crossed these thresholds and the discussions about trade and politics in these walls. It is fascinating to think that although the exterior appearance of the house changed over time, its foundation remained the same.

Now I ask you to pay attention to the architecture and details that you can see right in front of you. Look up at the top of the house. The dominance is a high baroque shield that gives the building its characteristic silhouette. The Baroque has brought some pomp and dynamism to urban architecture, which we can clearly see here. But the most interesting detail is even higher. Notice the metal home sign. It is a symbol in the form of the eye of God, which is placed in a triangle with rays. At a time when people could not read and houses had no numbers, such signs served as landmarks. This particular sign is not just an ornament, but it bears profound meaning because it symbolizes the Holy Trinity. It's a beautiful element that connects faith to everyday life on the street.

Although we see a baroque face from the outside, the house hides secrets even underground. In the building are preserved gothic vaults. Even if you can't see into them right now, realize that under your feet there are ancient vaults that were used to store food and goods. These cellars are proof of the original Gothic character of the building and are one of the most valuable elements of the whole house.

Now let's move on to the people who left their trail in this house. The House of God's Eye is not only a set of stones and metal, but above all a place of human work. In later history, a thriving bakery was established here, which became an important part of local life. In a thousand and eight hundred and eighty-two, the owner and the baker named Oswald Hickman are documented here. He was a man of his craft and ran one of the largest and most important bakery in the area. Imagine the smell of fresh bread that spilled down the Zatecka Street every morning and attracted people from all around.

But time passes, and the trade passes into the hands of others. In the year of a thousand and nine hundred and sixteen baker's trade in the house were taken over by the husbands Josef and Theresia Papzien. The married couple probably put a lot of effort and care into their business to keep the bakery successful even in the troubled times of the early twentieth century. It's interesting to see the fate of different families intermingling in one house, which may not be known, but it connects them with the same passion for their craft and the same place in the city tissue.

Here we come to one of the last documented stories associated with the bakery in this house. In the year one thousand nine hundred forty-three, that is, at the time of the Second World War, the baker Karl Würl applied for construction permission. He wanted to build a new furnace in the house, probably to modernize the production and manage more pastries. However, his request was rejected. It's a little detail from history, but it shows us that even in a house like this, there were limits and rules that owners had to respect. Perhaps it was because of this rejection that part of the inner structure of the house remained in the form that was recognised at the time.

When you look at the whole house as a whole, you see a fascinating combination of medieval Gothic, baroque style and practical use as a craft workshop. The House of the Eye of God is such a mirror of Kadana. It combines the spiritual symbolism represented by the tin mark on the shield with a very earthly activity such as bakery. It's a place where high art architecture meets the daily work of bakers.

Try to see the facade again. Feel the atmosphere of this place. Imagine the noise of cars on the coachwork, the call of merchants and the smell of pastries that once ruled here. This house reminds us that history is not only about great battles and kings, but above all about the people who lived here, worked and built their homes.

The House of God's Eye is today a silent witness to the transformed city, but still retains its dignity. Its high shield is still guarded by the corner of Žatecká Street and the symbol of the Trinity still resembles ancient traditions. It is an example of how the city of Kadaň evolved and how different epochs intersect.

Thank you for joining us in discovering the secret of this house. We hope you are interested in this short trip to the past and that you are now seeing this house in a new light. We now invite you to explore the beauty of the Old Town of Kadani. Walk the surrounding streets, admire other historic buildings and be accompanied by the atmosphere of this beautiful city. We wish you a pleasant continued journey and many new discoveries. Goodbye.