Hřebenka Building

Hřebenka, a castle in the village Smíchov, is a historical monument with a rich past dating back to the 16th century. This smichov estate, formerly known as the former vineyard press, underwent a number of architectural transformations - from the Baroque house to the Empire summer castles to the modern reconstruction. Her history is linked to significant personalities and changes in ownership, making her a remarkable monument.

The creation of the Crest can date back to the 16th century, when the vineyard press was built on site. This building is supported by sources from 1563 and probably built by the owner of the vineyard Mikuláš Raush. Alternatively, some sources indicate that Kateřina Roušová owned the property at the time. The estate was named after the former vineyard press and its history is closely linked to the cultivation of vines on the southern slopes of Smíchova.

The Hřebenka has been through several phases. In the middle of the 17th century, the early Baroque house was built by the Kamel family, which stood between vineyards and south-oriented gardens. At the end of the 18th century, this Baroque building was rebuilt into an empirical summer mansion by Maxvalen the count of Klebelsberg, which, around 1800, divided large halls with partitions and covered original wooden painted ceilings. In the middle of the 19th century the Prague village acquired the Clovenka, which later sold the property to Martin Vlček in the 1980s.

In 1922, the architect and builder František Kavalir bought the scallop, which he did between 1926 and 1928 reconstruction and reconstruction in modern style. This transformation included uncovering original wooden painted ceilings, relocation of main staircase with stained glass according to the design of Václav Špála and location of sculptures from Jaroslav Horejka. The Cavalier also built a new ground-floor building with two tracts and a colonnade-shaped arch that originally served as a market for the surrounding inhabitants.

Hřebenka was owned by various personalities during its history and experienced several dramatic changes. After the Second World War there was a special school, later a kindergarten and since 2007 she worked in the building Charles Engliš University. Since the school year 2024 / 25 there is a Gymnasium Memory of the Nation, which moved from the centre of Prague.

Today, Hřebenka has been protected as a monument since 3 May 1958 and its monument protected elements include a three-wing building, an object with colonnade, gazebo, garden and bust of the Emperor. The estate is now accessible to visitors and its two-wing ground floor building serves commercial purposes.

Hřebenka is not only an architectural monument but also witnessed many historical changes and developments in the Smíchov area. Its rich history and transformations make it an interesting destination for those interested in history and architecture. The visit to the Crest offers an opportunity to explore not only its beautiful interior, but also to understand the development of the local environment over several centuries.