Šlechtova restaurace Hunting lodge

Šlechtova restaurace, also known as Šlechtovka, Dvorana, or Dolní letohrádek, is a Baroque summer palace located in Stromovka Park within the municipality of Bubeneč. Built between 1689 and 1692, this site is a protected cultural monument of the Czech Republic. It forms part of a larger complex that includes the Royal Game Preserve and the Místodržitelský letohrádek.

The pavilion was constructed by imperial court mason Jan Jakub Antonín Canevalle on behalf of Emperor Leopold I. The project was funded by Count Kryštof František Vratislav z Mitrovic, the president of the Czech Chamber. This structure was intended to replace two older buildings: the Imperial Mill in Bubenči and a small castle that had been looted by Swedish forces in 1648.

Originally designed in the early Baroque style, the building features a main hall that spans two floors. This space contains a preserved ceiling fresco by Jan Jakub Steinfels depicting Olympus and several ancient deities, including Apollo, Venus, Amor, Diana, Mercury, Jupiter, Mars, and Saturn. The original design also included an artificial grotto fountain featuring a bronze sculpture of Poseidon. Between 1855 and 1858, architect Bernhard Grueber reconstructed the site in the Neo-Gothic style.

Following its completion, the building served for several decades as a storage facility for grain and hay used in the preserve. It received occasional repairs before visits from the Habsburgs. In the early 19th century, the site was leased by coffee-house owner Václav Steinitz, who operated a restaurant there. In 1882, Václav Šlechta took over the lease and ran the establishment until the Second World War. After the war, the property was nationalized and eventually closed in the 1960s due to its deteriorating condition.

The building suffered significant damage over the following decades, including fires in 1978 and 1980. In 2002, a flood submerged the structure to a depth of four meters, and soil landslides further threatened the building in 2010 and 2011. Historically, the site hosted major events. These included a public festival in August 1792 for the coronation of Emperor Francis I as King of Bohemia, and a feast hosted by Lev Thun on May 25, 1848, to celebrate freedom and the constitution.

In 1804, Emperor Francis I opened the Royal Game Preserve to the public. This event was marked by a Latin chronogram carved into a stone slab at the northwest entrance gate on Gotthardská Street. Under the guidance of architect Jiří Fischer and gardener František Weppel, the preserve was transformed into an English park. This redesign replaced a large pond with four smaller ponds and streams, accompanied by asymmetrical plantings of deciduous trees. The pavilion stands near the mouth of the Rudolfova štola.

A comprehensive reconstruction began in June 2017 with an initial budget of approximately 120 million CZK, leading to a partial reopening in April 2020. The current operator, Foodway Catering, manages a cafe, restaurant, and confectionery, while the site also hosts cultural events. In 2020, the parterre in front of the building was restored with an oval ornamental flower bed based on First Republic designs, consisting of 30 stem roses and 13,506 annuals.

Despite these efforts, the building's restoration has faced economic and organizational complications. On March 18, 2024, the Prague City Council approved further financial support because the monument is not yet fully operational. Alongside the official restoration, the Kulturní enkláva Šlechtovka area is used for cultural events by the Spolek přátel bezbariérového divadla Královská obora, which aims to create a barrier-free summer stage. The Občanská iniciativa pro podporu znovuzrození Šlechtovy restaurace has also worked since 1996 to draw attention to the building's condition.

This summer palace represents a significant layer of the architectural and social history of Stromovka Park. Its transition from an imperial retreat to a public social hub makes it a notable destination for visitors.