palác Kinských (Praha 1) Palace

Welcome to the Kinsky Palace, which is now opening up to you with its beautiful facade in Old Town Square. You are standing in front of one of the most distinctive Rococo palaces in Prague, whose facade immediately captures you with rich stucco decoration and statues of ancient gods. These sculptures, the work of Ignatius František Platzer, add to the construction not only beauty but also deep historical significance. The palace, which seems to you as a living witness of the past century, was built on the site of medieval houses, whose tracks are still hidden in its underground.

Let's move a little back to 1755 when the palace was built for Count John Arnošt of Goltz according to the plans of Anselm Luraga. This Rococo pearl has become the seat of important personalities, but also witnessed many historical events. After the purchase of the palace by Prince Rudolf Kinski in 1768, the interiors went through a classical reconstruction that gave him a new face. In the 19th century it was then extended up to Týnská Street and the neo-Baroque modifications from 1835 under the guidance of Josef Kranner completed its present form.

Now pay attention to the facade of the palace. Look at her stucco decoration, which is the work of C. G. B., and see how artistic decoration and historical value are combined here. The facade is like an open book that tells stories about how Praha and its architecture evolved. Note also that the palace is based on medieval buildings - the remains of the Romanesque and early Gothic houses are hidden under the current floor.

The Palace of Kinski was included in the list of cultural monuments in 1964, which confirms its extraordinary importance. Since 1949, his home is a collection of graphics from the National Gallery in Prague, which means that even today you can discover works of art which are part of our cultural treasures.

The key personalities associated with this place include Bertha Kinská, also known as von Suttner, who was the first woman in Austria-Hungary to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. Other significant visitors were Franz Kafka, who stayed here, as well as important politicians such as Klement Gottwald and Vladimír Clementis. Each of them contributed to making the palace a place where various epochs and ideas met.

Now let's talk about something that might surprise you. The remains of the medieval house that stood there before the Rococo Palace was built were preserved under the palace. These tracks are like a time capsule that reminds us that Praha has deep roots and its history is much older than it seems at first sight. Notice how the past and the present connect here - how medieval walls meet the stucco stucco decoration.

The Palace of Kinski is not only an architectural gem, but also a place where different layers of history meet. Its interiors, which host today's collection of graphics, are full of works of art that can charm you. If you like this building, it's certainly worth looking inside and exploring its inner beauty. Local graphics collections can surprise you with their range and quality.

Before we say goodbye to you, we want you to take away the feeling that you have witnessed part of Prague's history. The Palace of Kinski is like a living story that tells how the city evolved, how the owners took turns and how different cultures and ideas met here. You are standing in front of a place that has witnessed great events and that still holds its beauty and importance.

We wish you a pleasant exploration and when we meet again at the next Prague Gem. Thank you for seeing the Kinsky Palace with us today.