Dům čp. 5, Bubeneč Villa

Welcome to Bubeneči. You are standing in a place that no longer offers its original form, but its history is still deeply imprinted in this Prague district. Even though you now have another architecture and another life spreading around you, try to imagine for a moment what was here before. Imagine a place where the calm of vast forests mixed with the noble life of nobles and religious dignitaries. You are in a place where house number five once stood, known as the Obornicke Court. It's a place that carries centuries, from when this region was part of the vast royal monasteries to the dramatic changes of the modern era.

Let's go back deep into the past together to understand why this court was so important. The entire history of this place begins in the 15th century. At that time there was no luxury residence, but rather a practical background. The Court served as a base for the steward of the Royal Division. Imagine the era when nature was much wilder around Prague and the industry was an important place for the royal hunt. Managers had to be in place all the time, taking care of forests and animals, and this house was their home and workplace. It was a functional, economic space that was firmly linked to the rhythm of nature and the needs of the royal court.

Now, however, pay attention to the crucial turning point that has completely changed the character of this place. Let's move on to 1668. This year there was an event which made the simple economic court a place of high social importance. Dvořák was bought by Prague Archbishop, Matthew Ferdinand Sobk of Bílenberk. This personality was extremely influential in the then society and its arrival meant that this corner of Bubeneče would become part of a wider circle of religious and aristocratic settlements. The Archbishop was not only looking for practical accommodation here, but he created his summer residence here.

By doing so, the house stopped seeing itself as a part of the forest economy and began to gain an touch of elegance and calm. In 1715, as can be read from the Earth's records at the time, this area and its land were officially designated Central Ovenec. This name gives the place some historical weight and reminds us that every building has its own unique name that defines it in the history of the city.

If we now try to reconstruct what the house looked like, we should focus on its architecture. Even if you don't see the building today, we know from historical records that its resemblance has evolved over time towards a classical form. Classicism is a style that bets on harmony, balance and purity of lines. Imagine buildings that don't seem chaotic, but have a certain order and dignity that matched the status of the Archbishop's mansion. The area was not only a set of buildings, but it formed a whole, which included beautiful garden buildings.

Notice how important the integration of architecture with the surrounding landscape was. One of the greatest treasures of this place was the gloriet, which dates back to the late eighteenth century, namely from 1796. This type of building, a small pavilion used to relax and look around, was a typical element of the gardens at the time. Even though you can no longer see his prism creases with your own eyes, you can imagine how guests have made it into the beauty of scattered gardens and surrounding nature. It was a symbol of the bloom and aesthetic feeling that ruled this part of Bubeneče at the time.

But the story of the Obornicke Court is also a story of fleeting. Even the most beautiful architecture and the most important mansions are subject to time. During the twentieth century, the fate of this object began to change. Instead of blossoming, there was a gradual decline and decay. Even though he tried to make the last repairs in 1956 to preserve the site, it was not enough against the inevitable changes of the time.

The year 1975 followed, which meant a final end to this place. The whole building was destroyed. It is a sad chapter in the history of our urban memory, where historical sites give way to the new needs of the state and the political situation. A school for the needs of the Soviet Embassy was built in a place where the Archbishop's summer court once stood and where the royal administrators moved in the gardens. This radical change in the perception of space - from a noble residence to a functional educational object built for foreign diplomatic prosecutors - is a clear proof of how much political upheaval can rewrite the city's face.

Here, however, there is also an interesting, perhaps even mysterious aspect of history. Think about how many layers of stories are under your footsteps. Each square foot of this place witnessed a different era. You've seen the Archbishop's procession here, you've heard the rustling of the leaves in the gloriet gardens, and you've felt the seriousness of the royal forests. Today this place is different, but its spirit still persists in local memory and in documents that allow us to perform this reconstruction in the mind. It's fascinating how a place that doesn't exist physically can still be such a living topic for our thinking.

Now, I beg you, continue to drift through the atmosphere of this neighborhood. Bubeneč is full of other hidden treasures that await their discoverers. Even though you've just seen the end of one chapter that took place at house number five, this whole area is still ready to tell you more stories about history, architecture and the people who lived here. So keep walking, look around you and try to find clues of the past in every building and street. Thank you for joining us on this short journey through time. We wish you a pleasant continuation in exploring this beautiful city.