Dům čp. 143 House

Welcome to the heart of Štramberk. Right now, you're standing in front of a house with a number hundred and forty-three on the street of Zahulí. If you look at it, you'll notice right away that it's not just a building, it's a beautiful, plastered house that immediately transmits you to another time. It's a place where time stops and where you can feel the real atmosphere of the old suburb. Feel the peace and sight of wooden walls that tell stories from centuries.

Now let's stop at how this house came into being and what its historical context is. This grafted building dates back to the late eighteenth century, approximately seven hundred and eighty. At that time, such architecture was a complete natural addition to the building around the city. Imagine what this suburb looked like over 200 years ago, when there were people who were firmly connected to their country and craft. The house thus serves as living proof of folk architecture that flourished in our areas. But the history of this place has not always been calm. If you look at the surrounding area, you may feel traces of ancient tragedy. In the year one thousand eight hundred and fifty-five, the people were making a big fire. It was a devastating heat that destroyed many houses at the time and changed the face of the entire Štramberk. However, this house survived or was subsequently restored to serve other generations. Later, around the year a thousand and nine hundred and fifty, he went through the construction of another repair and renewal, which allows us to admire him in such a condition today.

Now pay attention to the architecture itself and to what you see right in front of you. Please look up. Note the roof, which has a typical saddle shape. It is covered with shingles, which are small wooden plates which form the traditional protective mantle of the house. It is a detail that we rarely see anymore and which gives construction its unmistakable character. But the most attention deserves the shield of the house. If you look closely at his details, you'll see the experts. They are small holes or decorative elements that have a very specific shape of the lime leaf. Lipa is our national tree and its presence in the details of the house shows the taste and sensitivity of builders who wanted to bring a bit of nature and symbolism into their home. Thanks to these elements, the entire building is listed in the Central List of Cultural Monuments of the Czech Republic and is a proud member of the town conservation. This means that the state recognises its unique value and protects it for future generations.

If you admire wooden walls and shingles roof like this, think about who lived in these areas. This house has a very important name, which is Vojtěch Petráš. He was born in this very house. Vojtěch Petráš was not just an ordinary citizen, he was a man with immense talent and broad overview. He acted as a teacher, which means he had a desire to pass on knowledge to others. At the same time, he was also a painter who was able to capture the beauty of the world on canvas. What is most important, however, was the great promoter of Štramberka. He devoted his life to raising the beauty of this city and showing it to others. Imagine young Vojtěch growing up in this garbled house, watching people in Zahulice Street, and how this environment inspired him to create and love his hometown later. It is fascinating to think that the walls of this house witnessed the birth and early years of a man who became the face of his region.

And now I'm going to lead you to one interesting thing that might surprise you. We often look for great cities and monumental palaces, but the real secrets are hidden in such folk buildings. Mystery and fascination at the same time is how these grafted houses managed to survive centuries, even if they were exposed to fire, humidity and tooth time. Look at the details of the leaves on the shield again. They are silent witnesses of a time when craftsmen did not have to rely on plans from computers, but only on their skill, eye and love for detail. It's a reminder of a time when the house was more than just walls and roofs, it was a symbol of the family commitment and identity of the entire Štramberka. The fact that this house is still standing today is a small miracle of history and proof of the care of the people who decided to repair and preserve it in the year one thousand nine hundred and fifty.

So you're standing in front of a building that's much more than just an old house with a number hundred forty-three. It is a monument to the folk craft, instead of the birth of an important painter and teacher and a symbol of the resilience of the whole city against natural disasters. Feel this harmony of wood, shingles and history that surrounds you.

I hope you enjoyed this short trip to the past. Now I invite you to look around in peace, maybe revisit those beautiful leaf-shaped ornaments and then continue to explore the other Štramberka corners. Every alley here has its own story and every house has its secrets. I wish you a pleasant continued journey and many new discoveries in this wonderful city reservation. Goodbye.