Dům U Pěti korun House

The House U 5 koruna, located on Melantrich Street 11 in Prague's Old Town, is an important cultural monument. The originally Gothic townhouse was converted into a three-storey palace in the late Renaissance. Its history dates back to the 13th century and is associated with personalities like Mikuláš z Vídně or Prokop z Kutné Hory. Protected as a cultural monument since 1958, represents a significant example of palace architecture.

The creation of today's building dates back to the Middle Ages, when it was built as a Gothic townhouse. The first mention of the name U Five Crowns dates back to 1402 and was related to the investigation of witch ceremonies associated with drunkenness. At that time, the house was owned by Simon of Pilsen, who, together with his son Vanek, had been in the middle of the mead until 1433. Later he went to the hands of University Professor Prokop from Kutná Hora, Chancellor of the Old Town of Prague between 1478 and 1497. Another important owner was Řehor Lidl of Lidlov, whose widow sold the house to Peter Nerhof of Holterberg in 1600.

Architectural is House For five crowns fascinating mixtures of different building styles. The Gothic house has two stages: the older early Gothic from the 13th century, which includes cellars, and the younger on the ground floor and the first floor coming from the period of the top goth before 1400. In the Renaissance, the house was rebuilt into a four-wing layout, which gave it the character of palace architecture. The facade to Melantrich Street is five-axis and greatly elevated with mannerist sculpture decoration of the portal and a pair of mascarons. The original oak gate from 1615 is still preserved today.

The ownership of the house has undergone several changes that reflected social and political changes at the time. After Petr Nerhof, the Italian buyer Giovanni Battista Raymund bought the house with his wife Anezka, sister of painter Karl Šcreta. In the 19th century he served as a warehouse for Count Lažanski's skirt.

The key moment in the history of the house was the completion of the reconstruction into the Renaissance form in 1615, when the facade was inspired by Bavarian houses, especially the city hall in Augsburg. Originally red imperial crowns above the windows of the first floor are today green, but they are supposed to be heraldic red.

Today's House For five crowns, not only a monument of architectural importance, but also a witness to the rich history of Old Town. Its unique construction and historical context make it an interesting destination for anyone interested in Prague history and architecture. Visiting this house is an opportunity to explore not only its exceptional construction, but also a deeper understanding of the cultural and social development of Prague.