Slovanský dům Building

Slovanský dům is an important social, cultural and business center located in the street On a ditch in Prague 1. The core of this complex is a classical palace, which was built around 1697 as the original Baroque residence and since 1964 it has been protected as a cultural monument. The building occupies the position of one of the dominant center of the capital and has undergone a number of significant building and social changes throughout its history, from the noble residence to the German Federal House to the modern multifunctional complex.

The creation of the original building dates back to the end of the seventeenth century, namely around 1697, when the Baroque palace was built for Jan Bartholomew Vernier of Rougemont. At that time, the Czech countries were in the Baroque period, marked by the renewal and construction development after the 30-year war, while Europe was going through an era of consolidation of absolute sovereign powers and significant cultural changes. This period is also linked to the creation of a French garden in the splendor of the palace, which is captured on the copper-engraving of Kaspar Wussin from 1700.

The main building of the current site bears traces of several construction phases. The original Baroque palace, known as Vernierovský, was preserved early Baroque, including two portals during the Classicist reconstruction around 1797, but both extreme wings were raised. This reconstruction was designed for Jan V. Tuskany by František Heger and according to the book of Prague builders, Ignác Alois Palliardi was also involved. In the following centuries there were other modifications, for example between 1933 and 1934 he modernized the interior of Fritz Lehman. At the end of the twentieth century, the whole complex underwent extensive reconstruction according to the project completed by Subterra in 2000. The construction of a new multicinema building and the modification of the premises surrounding the former courtyard were included, and the area can be passed from the Na trench street to the Senovážné square.

The list of owners and administrators of the palace reflects changes in Prague's society. After the first owner of Jan Bartholomew Vernier of Rougemont was owned by Count Vršovci and Příchovský. Since 1797 it belonged to Janu V. Tuskany, bought by real estate speculator Josef Likawetz in 1833 and was acquired four years later by textile entrepreneur Leopold Dormitzer, after which he inherited Babetta Dormitzerová. In 1873, the building was purchased by a German association. After World War II he became the owner of the Czechoslovak State and since 1997 he has been owned under the City of Prague, which rented him for 77 years to the Prague Communications and Social Centre. The cost of a major reconstruction at the end of the twentieth century exceeded one billion crowns in the then prices and one of the companies of the entrepreneur Sebastian Pawlowskiego was an investor.

The use of the building has changed significantly over the years. In 1825, shops and warehouses began to emerge on the ground floor, while floors served for residential purposes. Leopold Dormitzer has set up a large business and production centre with warehouses, shops, workshops and hostels. Between 1875 and 1945, the object served the German society under the name of the German House and acted as a social and political centre of the German-speaking Pražani known as the Deutsches Casino. In 1945 the object was renamed Slovanský dům. In the seventies of the twentieth century there was a famous wine bar Svíčkárna and one of the great buildings was based in the Central Puppet Theatre since 1950, later the Minor Theatre, which had to be cleaned out before the reconstruction of the end of the century. The building was also housed by a group of German writers and artists in Czech Concordia. Part of the modernized center became a multicinema with ten halls opened on December 6, 2000 by the premiere of the film Boutique. In the following years, international premieres took place with the participation of personalities such as Sean Connery, or the introduction of a picture of the Returning Bottle.

Today, Slovanský dům operates as a lively social, cultural and business center, offering visitors offices, shops, restaurants, cafes and multicinema. It is connected with the Czech National Bank building and the former Earth Bank building in Na trench street. This monument combines the original Baroque and Classicist architecture with the modern operation of the city and represents a valuable proof of the building development of the centre of Prague. Visit Slovanský dům and discover the place where historical building layers meet the contemporary cultural life of the metropolis.