Dům U Červeného srdce House

Welcome to the very heart of Pilsen, its historical part. Right now, you're standing in front of one of the most beautiful buildings in Republic Square. In front of you is the Red Heart house, which will impress you with its elegance and rich looks at first sight. It is a building that carries within itself the spirit of its time and at the same time fits beautifully into the surroundings where, for example, the bishop is located. Stop for a moment, take a breath and let your eyes slowly wander the facade of this house.

If you look at this building, you see the result of the work from the late nineteenth century. The current form of the house dates back to a thousand eight hundred and ninety-four. At that time, however, there was another house, which, although bearing the same name, was built much earlier, during the Renaissance. The original house, however, was no longer sufficient for the needs of the time and was therefore replaced by this new, representative building. The author of this project was the recognized builder Rudolf Štech, who chose a style called neo-Renaissance. This direction returned to the foundations of Renaissance architecture at that time, but added modern elements and greater pomp. The building thus served as a symbol of prosperity and the taste of its owners.

I now ask you to pay full attention to the details surrounding you. Look carefully at the front of the house. It's fascinating to see how carefully everything was planned. Notice the entrance portal, that is where it enters the building. Right here you'll find the elements that make this house the most unique. Look at the characters of two virgins with mussels that decorate the entrance. It's a delicate detail that gives the house a hint of subtlety and nobility. If you look even closer to the column, you'll see little gold hearts that are a direct reference to the name of the whole house. And don't forget to look up a little glass window where you can see the angel figure. It's the little things you can easily overlook, but it's the real beauty of this house.

When your eyes go further up, focus on the first floor. Note the balcony railing, which complements the overall impression of the building. This whole visual world that you now admire is not a work of chance. Behind the rich decoration surrounding the house is a significant figure of Czech art, painter Mikoláš Alš. He designed these decorative elements that make the building a real jewel of Plzeň Square. Alš was known for his ability to combine national character with high artistic craft, and this is also evident here. It is a beautiful combination of the architecture of Rudolf Štech and the artistic perception of Mikolas Alš.

It's also interesting how the house evolved in time. Although the basic form of the year is eight hundred and ninety-four, the building was not left behind. In a thousand and nine hundred and ninety-six, it underwent extensive adjustment to preserve its environment and to continue to serve its citizens. It's fascinating to think about how the function of the house changed. While on the ground floor today you will find a banking institution that represents the modern world of finance, the upper floors remain faithful to their original destination and are used for housing. It is a kind of dialogue between public business space and private home, all under the same roof, which is recognised as a cultural monument of the Czech Republic.

Try to imagine what this place looked like over a century ago. People in period clothes passing by, carriages in the square and this house, which was at that time a novelty and a symbol of modernity. Imagine how the painter Alsh carefully designed every heart and every shell to tell his own story. Dům U Červeného srdce is not just a pile of stone and mortar, it is a monument to human creativity and desire for beauty.

Now, if you look at the whole structure again, feel it as a whole. From ground floor to balcony details. It's a harmonious whole that's been with us for decades. It's where the history of the Renaissance meets, the ambition of the Neo-Renaissance and the care of modern times.

Thank you for stopping by this beautiful house with me. I hope you're interested in the details of Mikolash Alš and Rudolf Štech's history. You can now continue to discover other glories of Pilsen's inner city. We walk through streets that have thousands of years of stories, and the Red Heart House is just one of the many keys to understanding the spirit of this city. I wish you a pleasant continuation of your journey and many other beautiful experiences in your discovery of Pilsen. Goodbye.