Dům U Řečických, U jelena House

Welcome to the heart of New Town, where your steps have just stopped in front of the House of Talc, also known as the House of Deer. You are standing in front of a building that is a real witness to centuries of Prague history. When you look at her now, you see a house that combines different times and styles in its form. It's not just an ordinary building, but a layered story written in stone and mortar. Feel the atmosphere of this place, where once the fragrance of craft workshops and the noise of the old town's commercial activity were mixed.

Let's go back deep into time together until the end of the 14th century. The first written mention of this place dates from a thousand three hundred seven to a thousand three hundred seventy-nine. At that time, there was a patrician's house, which was the residence of a rich and influential township. The first of these owners was Martin Salač. Imagine what this place looked like in the early New Town when the city grew and buildings like this formed the basic skeleton of the city's core. Originally, it was a large Gothic courtyard, which was a typical way of building the house at a time when it did not end at just one facade, but included an interior space with buildings located around the courtyard.

Now pay attention to the architecture itself. Although the house looks different today, under its surface is a fascinating development. If you could see through walls, you would see valuable Gothic and Renaissance vaults that survived centuries. Take a look at the overall form of the house and see how the various ages are mixed in. In the year one thousand and five hundred and sixty, the first major Renaissance reconstruction was conducted by Jindřich Řečický. The Renaissance brought more light and harmony to architecture. Later the Baroque style added to it, which added a new dynamic to the house.

An interesting moment in the history of the building was the year one thousand seven hundred and eighty-four. That's when the house was hit by a devastating fire. It is this tragic event that has led to another great change. After the fire followed the adaptation in the spirit of classicism, which was a style placing emphasis on moderation and clean lines. At this time, the Mansard roof, which you see above you today, was built. It's a typical element that gave the house its final profile. The entire building was declared a protected cultural monument thanks to its value in a thousand and nine hundred and fifty-eight so that future generations could admire this connection of Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and historism.

When we think about the people who lived and worked here, the House of Speakers tells us stories of craft and power. As already mentioned, Martin Salač was a butcher. That means the house was closely connected to the butcher shop, which was the key mall for the city at the time. The building therefore served not only as a living space for the family, but also as a business place where people from around the area met.

Among the personalities associated with this house are names like Pavlov Salač or later Jindřich Řečický. But one of the stories is much darker. Let's remember the year one thousand six hundred twenty-one. In this year was executed nobleman Jiřík Řečický z Řečice. His execution took place in the Old Town Square, but the shadow of this event also hit this house and family of Greek. It is fascinating how one building can also be a symbol of artisanal prosperity and the tragic fate of noble generations. Over time, there were other people like Matouš František Chrostek, Martin Janeček and Josef Scheiwl, each of whom left their mark in the history of this place.

Now I'm going to lead you to some interesting things that make this house something special. Note that the house is remarkable by its layery. It's like a book where every chapter represents a different century. If you're interested in what's hidden deep beneath your feet, know that there's a place in the Gothic cellars today called the Bar at the barrel. It's a beautiful contrast where modern social life takes place in spaces that are remembered in the Middle Ages.

Another curiosity ties to the ground floor of the house. For many years there was a mycological consultancy of the Czechoslovak Association of Gardeners. Mycology is a science of mushrooms. So imagine that in a house where butchers and nobles once ruled, people later consulted on the cultivation and recognition of mushrooms. It's a small but sweet detail that shows how the functions of buildings in urban space change with the times.

Today, when you look at the facade of the House of Greek, you see not only the walls, but the resulting work of many people, including architect J. Zika. Feel this house as a bridge between the past and the present. From the first stone laid in the fourteenth century to the Renaissance expansion, baroque pomp, Classicist moderation to today's conservation status.

Imagine how many generations of people have gone through you, how many shops have been closed here and how many secret conversations have taken place in his shadows. The House of Greece remains a silent observer of the history of Prague, which today allows us to look into our history.

I hope this short trip over time has helped you better understand the importance of this place. You can now rest in your New Town walk. I recommend looking again, seeing the details of the roof and thinking of all these people, from Martin Salač to Jiřík Ráčický, who left their life story behind. Thank you for your attention and I wish you a pleasant rest of the day in our beautiful city.