Myšák Gallery Building

Welcome to the very heart of Prague, one of its most lively streets, in Vodičkov. Stop for a moment, take a deep breath and look in front of you. You're standing in front of a building that can act as a modern business space at first sight, but it's actually a fascinating layered story from several different centuries. It is a place where the old craft tradition meets the brave avant-garde and where the history of the city intersects with modern architecture. Feel the atmosphere of this place where urban tourism meets with the promise of sweet rest and artistic experience.

Now let's go back in time together to understand how this complex evolved. It all started in 1883. Imagine the Prague of the late nineteenth century, the era of flowering and building. It was this year that the original house was built here in a Neo-Renaissance style, the architect of which was Otto Ehlen. At the time, the Neo-Renaissance was a symbol of stability and elegance, followed by the nobility of the Renaissance and brought order and aesthetics to the streets of Prague, which should have radiated prosperity. This house served as a foundation on which other layers of history were later built.

But only after a century, in 1922, the building went through a fundamental transformation that gave it its unique character. At that time, in the Czech environment, a fascinating architectural direction, called Rondocubism, arose. It was an attempt to create a national style that combined the square of cubism with finer, round shapes. It was this reconstruction led by a talented builder and artist Josef Čapek. If you look at the facade now, feel this contrast. Rondocubism brought dynamism and playfulness into the building, which was very modern and courageous for the time being. It's an architecture that doesn't just look into the past, but can look into the future.

But time did not stand and the building had to adapt to the new needs of the modern city. There was another big change in 2007 when a new business complex was opened, which we now know as the Mouse Gallery. This modern section was designed by study Casua and Omicron K. The architects have faced a challenging task here to link the historical heritage of neo-Renaissance and rondocubism to the demands of the 1920s. The result is a combination that allows visitors to pass smoothly from historical context to modern comfort. Notice how these different epochs complement each other and form one whole.

Now that we know the framework of the building, pay attention to the people who breathed life into this place. When it's called Mouse, most Pražanis immediately recall the smell of fresh candy and traditional period cakes. The key character here is František Myšák, founder of the famous confectionery shop, which has been operating in this place for decades. The mouse's candy store is not just a business, it's part of the Prague identity. Imagine those generations of people coming here for their favorite candy, meeting friends and families, creating an invisible map of memories associated with this address. The history of this place is also associated with Pavel Kožíšek, which helped shape the current form and development of this space.

Now, if you look around, you might think of all the things that this complex has in it besides shopping and candy. Here comes one of the most interesting properties of this place. The building does not only function as a closed commercial space, but as an important urban link. If you enter and pass through the complex, you will find that the building connects the busy Vodickov Street to the quiet Franciscan Garden. It's a secret passageway that takes you from the noisy city center to the oasis of silence and green within seconds. It is a fascinating contrast, which reminds us how unexpectedly different worlds can intersect in Prague.

Another element that enriched the centre's offer in 2019 is the Museum of Fantastic Illusions. It is a place where reality bends and visitors can win with perception of space and optical deception. This element perfectly complements the spirit of Josef Čapek and his playful approach to architecture. While the house from 1883 represented order, and the rondocubism from 1922 experimented with the form, the museum of illusions in 2019 brought to the complex an element of pure fantasy.

So you're standing in front of a building that is basically a living museum of architecture and social life. From Neo-Renaissance tranquility to rondocubist energy to modern functionality and playfulness of illusions. It's a place where history isn't stored in the archives, but it still lives and serves people.

Now I invite you to explore this place on your own. I suggest you enter and perceive the strange transition between old and new. You may be tempted by the smell of traditional confectionery from František Moušák, or by the desire to deceive your senses in the Museum of Fantastic Illusions. And if you feel the need for peace, don't forget to use the connection and let it take you all the way to the Franciscan Garden, where you can quietly think about how many stories have happened in these walls over the last hundred and forty years.

Thank you for coming through the history and architecture of the Mouse Gallery. Enjoy your next Prague survey and be surprised by the other hidden treasures this city offers. Goodbye.