Dům čp. 47 (Pardubice) House

Welcome to the heart of Pardubice. You're standing in Pernstein Square right now, in a place that is absolutely crucial to this city and carries a vast number of stories. In front of your eyes is a building that is an integral part of this urban space - house number 47. Before you go any further, try to stop for a while, soak up the atmosphere of this square and perceive the building as a whole. In front of you stands an impressive two-storey city house whose presence here seems very stable and unwavering. Although his appearance has changed many times over the centuries, his position in this urban space remains unchanged. Feel the beauty of the old town, which is now manifesting itself to you through this historic structure.

Let us now move further into the past together to understand how this house came into being and what it had to overcome. Its roots are not short, because they date back to the second half of the 15th century. The whole process of its construction took place between the second half of the 15th and the first half of the 16th century. It's fascinating to realize that this building has been here for over 500 years. Already in the year 1507 we have historical documents that confirm that this house already existed here. This means that he survived many generations of people, many political changes, and many decades of calm and stormy times. Originally, it was a Renaissance city house, which gave it its basic character and the face that we still feel, even though its surface has transformed over time.

Now pay attention to the architecture itself and to what you are seeing before you. If you look at the building, you can see different layers of history. It's a fascinating mix. The original Renaissance style has been gradually modified and supplemented over the centuries. But the most important and significant change that you can now observe happened much later, in the year one thousand nine hundred nineteen. It was at that time that the house was remodeled into a Neo-Renaissance style. Please pay attention to the upper part of the building, namely the part we call the atics. This neo-Renaissance adjustment gave the house its present day, balanced and very representative look. Behind this face and what the house looks like today is the work of important people, whom we must mention names. They were architects František Leisky and Bóži Dvořák. Their visions and works helped the construction to gain the character you see today as a cultural monument.

When you look at these walls, you might think how tough this building must have been. The history of this house is not only about beauty and architecture, but also about an incredible struggle for survival. This house has been hit several times by a devastating fire, which in the past has been the city's greatest enemy. Imagine the dangerous situation where flames threatened the entire city. This house had to face fires in the years fifteen hundred thirty-eight, sixteen hundred forty-five, and also in the year seven hundred and two. Each of these tragic moments has led to the necessary repairs and subsequent architectural changes. It was these events, even though they were painful, that shaped today's house. It's fascinating that every recovery, every repair after a fire, added another layer of its unique history to the house.

In addition to architecture and fire, this house served as a place where ordinary life and trade took place. Did you know, for example, that in the year one thousand eight hundred ninety-six, there was an interpretation for the substance trade? You can imagine the business, the sound of the footsteps of the people coming to choose the new fabric and atmosphere of the shopping centre, like this house was at that time for the residents of Pardubice. This house was not only a habitable building, but an important point for the local economy and social life. The names of specific people such as Václav Hanuš, whose name is closely linked to this history, are also associated with this place.

Now, if you're interested in this resilient building, maybe you're interested in one more interesting thing. It is the fact that this house has been protected as a cultural monument since the year one thousand nine hundred sixty-four. This means that its value for the city and for all of us is recognised by law and history. It's a symbol of how important it is to protect our heritage from oblivion. House number 47 is not just an ordinary object on the street, it is the living chronicler Pardubice, who tells us stories of growth, destruction and rebirth.

I hope that this short journey through Pernstein Square has pleased you and that you have been able to imagine the ancient times that took place here. This house is just one of many fascinating stories you can find on these streets. I suggest you continue your next walk and look carefully for other hidden secrets and historical details that this city offers. Thank you for your attention and we will wait you out on another tour of some other sights in our beautiful city. Goodbye.