Gotthardská 4 Building

Welcome to Prague's Drumstick, specifically Gotthard Street. You're standing right where the house of the descriptive number 37 once stood. Look around you and try to perceive the atmosphere of this corner that has been fundamentally transformed in recent decades. In front of you, there is an area that already bears traces of the original historical development, but for us who are concerned with the history of this place, it is a place full of stories that have taken place here throughout centuries. Even if there is a new construction in front of you, or there is an open space, imagine that there once stood a significant object that was an important part of the urban landscape. This house stood on the corner, right opposite the church of St. Gotthard, and its silhouette was an inseparable part of their daily life for the inhabitants of Bubenč. Now that you're standing in this particular place, you have a unique opportunity to think about how quickly the city's face changes and how important it is to remember what was here before.

Let's move back in time and see how this house happened. The place where you're standing today wasn't always a setup. Originally there was the Prokopovská cottage, which witnessed many historical events, including the devastating Thirty Years' War. This cottage, however, did not pass the time test and was destroyed. It was only in 1804 that there was a fundamental change. Architect Josef Zobel, who was an active figure in the Prague building scene at that time, was tasked with building a new building on this site. The construction took place on the basis of an agreement between architect Zobel and the owner of the property, Jan Dominik. The result of this cooperation was a storey house, which took over descriptive number 37. This year, 1804, is therefore a key milestone in the history of this particular object. The house was not just a residential building, but it became a place where new chapters were born in the life of Prague's families.

Now pay attention to what this house would look like if you could go back in time. Even if there is a new building or empty area in front of you, imagine a nine-axis facade that was one of its main features. The house was situated on the corner and was folded into a blunt angle, giving it a specific architectural character. This form of construction was common at the time, but it was its proportions and details that made this building a remarkable part of the urban development. In the nineteenth century, namely between 1848 and 1851, there was significant reconstruction and expansion of the building. The architectural master Tomáš Vlach was behind this reconstruction. His aim was to create enough space for 17 families, indicating that it was a relatively large and important residential building. Vlach's work was not only about adding square meters, but about adapting the house to the new needs of that time.

The key figures associated with this place are Josef Zobel and Tomáš Vlach, but also Jan Dominik, for which the house was originally built. Jan Dominik was probably an important figure in the then-bubenical company and therefore could afford such a construction. Josef Zobel as an architect brought to the project his professionalism and knowledge of the construction techniques at the time. Tomáš Vlach then extended the house and adapted it to a new form that allowed it to serve as a residence for many people for many years. These three names are closely linked to the fate of this house, and their work together shaped his final form, which was known to generations of freshmen.

The cultural protection of this place is also interesting. In 1958, the house was declared a cultural monument. That was a very important decision at the time to save this object from possible destruction or inappropriate rebuilding. Unfortunately, history sometimes develops unexpectedly. In 1994, the original house was demolished. In his place, however, not a whole new building was built, but a volume replica. This means that the builders tried to mimic the original shape and dimensions of the building as accurately as possible in order to visually preserve the continuity of the urban landscape. This line was meant to serve as a bridge between the past and the present. But even this quest to preserve form has not lasted for ages. In 2021, this building was demolished, that is, the replica, and a new building began to be built. This development shows how dynamic the city of Prague is and how approaches to the protection of monuments and to the construction of historical centres change.

Imagine you're standing outside this house in 1950. You can see the nine-axis facade that rises above the street. Notice how the house is lined with corners and how its shape affects the flow of people around it. It was a house where children were born, where weddings were celebrated and people's fates were lived. Seventeen families who lived here after Vlach's reconstruction had their own story. Each window in this nine-axis facade hid a different life, different pleasures and other worries. Today, when you stand in this place, you can feel the weight of the history that lies there. Even though the original bricks and stone are gone, the memory of this house remains in the memory of the city and in our hearts.

This story of house number 37 is also a story of how the city develops. From the Prokopov cottage, which survived the war, to Zobel's new construction, to Vlach's expansion, to today's new construction. Each stage brought something new and something old stayed in the background. It is important to realize that the city is not just a set of buildings, but a living organism that breathes and changes. When you go through Drummer, try not only to perceive what you see, but also what was here before. Every stone, every alley has a story. And this story of a house on Gotthard is one of them.

Now that we've gone through the history of this place, allow me to invite you to further explore the area. Look at the church of St. Gotthard, who stood opposite. Its tower and architecture are yet another proof of the rich history of this place. Try to imagine how the house and church formed a harmonious whole together. How the building around them changed and how the city changed itself. Drummer is a neighborhood with rich history and many other monuments that are worth visiting. Every step you take here will bring you closer to understanding how today's Prague came about.

A good-bye to this place is always a little sad, but at the same time full of hope. The hope that history will continue and that new generations will remember what was here before. Thank you for taking the time to put on your headphones so you can hear this story. I hope he gave you something new and that you will perceive this place with a different look.