Rokoska Homestead

Welcome to the Liberec part of Prague. You are standing right in front of a building that, by its appearance and location on a high surface, attracts the attention of anyone who passes by it. In front of you is Rokoska, an elegant castle, which is a silent witness to many of the changes that this place has been through over the centuries. The first impression of this construction is a sense of harmony and lightness, which is typical of the period in which it was completed in its present form.

Let us now look together at how this monument originated and what its historical context is. The building you see was rebuilt in the last quarter of the eighteenth century. At that time a seat was established, which was intended to emit the luxury and social position of its owners. Names associated with this place include, for example, Prokop Gindela. The whole complex was designed to benefit from the advantages of the terrain, making the castle very noble today. It is an architecturally very valuable object that completes the picture of the liberal landscape with its beauty.

Now pay attention to the architecture itself and the details that you can observe right in front of you. Please look up on the roof. Notice its specific shape, which is the so-called Mansard roof, which gives the building a characteristic silhouette. A small turret should not escape your eyes, which complements the overall appearance of the building. If you focus now on the south shield of the building, you'll see a sundial. These are tiny but very charming details that return us to a time when time was measured differently than using digital devices. The whole appearance of the building bears traces of Rococo style, which you can see from the softness and playfulness of the elements. The site also includes the building of the former Šhoškharu, which was a building designed to store grain, which, however, later served as a chapel.

When we stop over history, we find that Rokoska has experienced incredibly diverse fates in her life. It's fascinating how one building can serve such different purposes. Let's move on to the year one thousand eight hundred thirty-six. At that time, a man named Jan Lendecke bought the building. He decided to make the luxury mansion something completely practical and industrial, so he set up a sugar factory here. So imagine that there was once a boil of work in the spaces that are so peaceful today and a sweet mixture of sugar cane or sugar beet smelled.

But time went on and there were other changes. In the year one thousand eight hundred and ninety, the function of the building changed again, but this time it was aimed at helping the most needy. A workhouse was set up in the building, a place for people who find themselves in a difficult situation. The sugar factory has thus become an area of attack and welfare. Several years later, in the year one thousand nine hundred and three, the Prague municipality bought the building. The city was looking for a suitable place for the needs of the city's governess, which was a space for the education and education of children. This function was so significant that in the year one thousand and nine hundred and seven the construction of an entirely new building of the governess, which originated on the east side of the castle itself.

It is easy to imagine how generations of people were changing in these areas, from rich owners to workers in the sugar factory to children in the nursery. It is this level of history that makes Rokoska unique. In a thousand and nine hundred and sixty-four, the building was officially registered as a cultural monument, which ensured that its beauty and history would be preserved for future generations.

Where's the interesting thing in this story that might interest you? It's in this incredible contrast. There is very few buildings in Prague that would undergo such transformation in such a short period of time. From a luxury aristocratic mansion to industrial operations, to an institution for the poor to educational facilities. It's almost like a mirror of the social development of the whole city and its surroundings. Each of these stages left an invisible mark in the building. Now, if you look again at the facade and the sun clock, try to imagine how many different views of the world have been created in this house over the years.

Now that you know the story of this house, I suggest you observe it quietly for a while. Feel the atmosphere of this high rise and think about the people who lived and worked here. Rokoska is proof that although the functions of buildings change, their architectural value and spirit can last for decades and centuries.

Thank you for spending time with us at this beautiful memorial. Now you can continue to explore around Libna and discover other hidden corners of this city. We wish you a pleasant walk and many other beautiful experiences. Goodbye.