Dům rytířů Sokolů z Mor House

Dům rytířů Sokolů z Mor is an important town house no. 43 in Louny, located on the south side of the Brewery Street north of St. Nicholas' church. This late Gothic building from the 15th century was famous for its richly decorated bay and today serves as the seat of the regional museum.

Written references to the building dates back to the beginning of the 15th century. The house was won by Jan Sokol, the eldest son of Vaňek Sokol, as a wedding gift after marriage to Anna, daughter of the Lounian console Václav Suchý. The family with roots in the local southernship was one of the coat of arms townspeople. Jan Sokol received a coat of arms from King Vladislav II. in the 15th century and the addition from Mor was deduced from the village of Mory near Podbořán. The house is supposed to have been remodeled between 1470 and 1480, before the owners were promoted to noble state.

The most important building element can be described as a bay from 1491, which is evidenced by the late Gothic stone art. The entrance portal underneath carries a typical arch in the shape of a donkey's spine. Following the Great Lonian Fire in March 1517, extensive reconstruction was followed between 1517 and 1525. Medieval origins are evidenced by underground walls and massive perimeter walls. The interior spaces on the ground floor are sealed with a rib arch; the ribs in the mazhaus are based on two circular clamps and blend into the consoles in the form of bizarre human heads.

Over the centuries the house alternated with the owner and underwent many modifications. In the 19th century the facade gained a classical look, which in 1890 the architect Josef Mocker modified into neogotic form. Mocker then added, among other things, a cimmer and the signs of a lion and an eagle over the orbs. The original Knights of the Sokol of Mor coat of arms remains preserved to this day in the level of skyline parapets. Smooth plaster was repaired in 1925 and since 1938 the roof has covered the etternite templates laid on the coso.

The key moments for the design of the building were the creation of a decorative bay in 1491 and the subsequent restoration after the fire in 1517. The interesting thing is that there used to be sculptures on the corners of the arches, which were reported to represent Master Jan Hus and Jerome Prague; But since 1890 they have been missing. Underground spaces, accessible by stairs from 1890, contain the remains of medieval masonry and ventilation vents for air circulation.

Dům rytířů Sokolů z Mor is a valuable document of Lounian urban architecture. Thanks to its preserved Gothic core and later modifications, it offers insight into the history of the city. Visiting the museum allows you to explore these premises and study in detail late Gothic elements. The building is open to the public and its uniqueness forms an important part of the historical centre of Loun.