Dům Eduarda Červinky House

Welcome to the heart of the city of Zlín and you have just stopped at Peace Square, where you will meet with history that defines the face of this place. You're standing right in front of a building that's not just an ordinary house, but a symbol of the transformation that the city went through during its greatest bloom. Before your eyes is the house of Eduardo Worvinka, a building that carries everything that was considered to be the pinnacle of progress and modern thinking in the 1930s. Feel the atmosphere of the place where the old craft connects to the new dynamic era of the city.

Let's go back in time together and understand what this place has experienced before it's become the way you see it right now. The history of this particular place at the heart of the city did not begin in the year one thousand nine hundred thirty-one as it might seem. He's much older. Already in the year one thousand eight hundred ninety-nine here began a story that was closely linked to traditional craft. That's when Karel Mikšík acquired the right to perform the butchery activity, which was firmly linked to this very house at number nine. It was a time when the city had not yet been so large and life was much slower in it, but it was here that the foundations of future wealth and expansion began to form.

Over time, however, people's needs have changed and the buildings themselves have changed. In the year one thousand nine hundred twenty-one there was another important moment when Eduard Červinka obtained permission to set up its own sausage and butcher shop. This was a signal that this place had enormous potential and that a much more intensive business life could take place here. Worm wasn't just a butcher, he was a man with great ambitions who understood that he needed something more than a simple workshop to succeed in the modern world. He needed a representative space that reflected his position and the growing importance of the city.

And so just in the year one thousand nine hundred thirty one happened the thing that fundamentally changed the appearance of the entire square. A new building has been built, which you are now observing. It wasn't just another house, it was a manifesto of a new age. Eduard Červinka did not ask for an ordinary object but for a modern combination of business and housing. This created a house that was intended not only for his business, but also for the life and work of many other people.

Now pay attention to what you see right in front of you. Look at the structure and try to perceive its unusual character. This object is an excellent example of what we call functionalism. This is the direction in architecture that does not seek unnecessary decorating, but focuses on making the building do its best and look clean and modern. The architect of this work was Bohumír F. A. Čermák, the man who was able to transfer these advanced ideas into the reality of Zlína.

Notice how this building is different from the older, traditional structures you might expect in the historical core. The key element that should interest you immediately is her asymmetric facade. If you try to find an exact central axis that divides the building into two identical halves, you will find that there is no such axis. And that's where her strength lies. The asymmetry gives the house movement, dynamics and a sense of modern energy. It's not a static, boring block, it's a living part of the city.

Look at the ground floor. That's where the most important business life takes place. These spaces were designed to serve as shops that attract people and create a busy heart square. There are other floors above them, which served as living spaces or offices. It is a fascinating example of how the best of urban life was combined in one building: work, business and private housing. The whole was designed with regard to the modern needs of the time when people began to move at a faster pace.

Looking at the building, you can imagine the character of Eduardo Worm. Imagine him as a visionary who in the year one thousand nine hundred thirty-one invested in the future expansion of his city. His decision to build such an advanced house in the heart of Zlín was bold. He didn't just want a building, he wanted a symbol. And he really created it. This house witnessed many generations of people who worked here, lived and walked by it.

There is one other thing I would like to stress to you. This building is not only a beautiful memorial object, but it also has official protection. In the year two thousand and one, this object was included in the list of real cultural monuments. This means that its value for our city and for the entire history of architecture has been recognised by state authority. It is a confirmation that what you see is an untouchable piece of our heritage that we must preserve for future generations.

You may now wonder how this place has changed since Karel Mikšík operated his small cutting concession here. Imagine the transformation from a simple, maybe wooden or stone object that served only one family to this monumental, modern building that dominates the entire square. It's a story about growth, ambition and how Zlín was turning from a small town into a modern industrial center.

Now that you know the story of this house, I suggest you continue your walk through the Square of Peace. Focus on other buildings in the area and try to find traces of the same era that left a trail here in the year one thousand nine hundred thirty-one. Every corner of this town has its own story waiting for you to uncover it. Thank you for stopping by and paying attention to this special place. We will brighten up another pleasant part of your journey with Zlína history.