Sokolovna v Plzni Sokol gymnasium

Welcome to Pilsen, one of the most beautiful parts of the city, specifically here in the Eastern Suburb. Stop for a moment, take a deep breath and look around you. You are standing in Strunk orchards, where you are now welcomed by this impressive building. In front of you is a building that is not just an ordinary house of stone and bricks, but a living witness to Pilsen history, a symbol of health, national pride and deep sadness. Look at its overall form. In front of you you can see the main headquarters of the Pilsen Falcon, a building that combines the discipline of gym with the elegance of social life. Let us now return together in time more than 120 years ago. Imagine Pilsen at the end of the nineteenth century, a time of great change and expansion. It was during this period between 1892 and 1896 that this building was created. It was a time when the Sokol movement was not just about sports, but imagined the whole philosophy of body and spirit education. The aim was to create a strong and healthy nation, and it was therefore necessary to have a place to serve as the centre of these activities. The architect Josef Podhajský was behind this project. His job was to design a space that would be practical for gyms, but at the same time sufficiently representative for festive events. The result is this space, which was ceremonially opened in 1894 and has since been a necessary part of the Pilsen landscape. Now pay attention to the architecture itself. The building is built in Neo-Renaissance style. When you look at its facade like that, feel the harmony and balance that is typical of this direction. Neo-Renaissance returned to the principles of ancient European architecture to express stability, culture and a reasonable order. Notice how the building works in the orchard space. It's a specific type of sports, because it wasn't designed to be an exercise hall. Inside is a gym, but at the same time there were reserved areas for social events, balls and meetings. It was a place where people from different layers of society met together, a common goal to improve their condition and grow friendship. Look at the facade and imagine how people in period costumes were flowing here ten years ago, full of enthusiasm and energy. The Sokolovna was not just a building, it was an institution made up of people. The personalities we closely associate with this place include Hynek Palla or Václav Peták. These men and their comrades put all their passion into the work of the Falcon. To them, exercise was not only a matter of muscle, but a way to inner freedom and confidence. It was thanks to them that this building became a social symbol, where the identity of a modern citizen was formed in Pilsen. Now let's move forward in time a little bit. It's 1904. The world is changing rapidly and new, fascinating power is starting to penetrate the buildings. It was this year that Plzeň Sokolovna was electrified. Imagine the contrast. An electric light suddenly came into the spaces that had previously been lit by the lamps. It was a symbol of progress, modernity and faith in a better future. At that time, the road seemed to only lead up, to more light and more health. However, history also has its dark shadows, and this building is their painful witness. I want to ask you now to focus your attention on the facade of the building. Look for a plaque that was placed in 2002. This board brings us back to the darkest days of World War II. It was here, in these areas, to serve health and joy, that tragedy took place. During the war, Sokolovna was used as a gathering place. Two thousand six hundred and four Jews were gathered here before transporting them to the slaughter camps. It is freezing to realize that a place that was a symbol of national vitality has become a place of fear and goodbye for a short time. This plaque is not just a historical record, but a constant reminder of what happens when hatred of humanity wins. When you stand in front of this building today, you perceive this particular contrast. On the one hand, it is a neo-Renaissance elegance and joy of movement, on the other hand, it is a silent testimony of suffering. It is this constancy that makes Pilsen Sokol's place so special. It's a building that teaches us not only about architecture, but above all about the human nature and history of our city. Another significant milestone occurred in 2010. The building was officially declared a cultural monument of the Czech Republic. It's not just a formal title, it's recognition of its irreplaceable value. This year there was also an extensive reconstruction, which ensured that Neo-Renaissance beauty could be maintained for future generations and that the building could continue to serve the inhabitants of Pilsen and its visitors. Thanks to this repair we can admire the construction in its full glory today, while maintaining its authentic atmosphere. Now that you have learned of the journey of this building from its base stone in 1892 to its present form, I suggest you look again. Feel the serenity of the Strunk orchards in which Sokolovna fits so naturally. Try to imagine the thousands of people who passed through here, the voices that were there, and the silence that was once here in the time of evil. Sokolovna v Plzni remains as a beacon of the body movement and a reminder that buildings are much more than walls. They are the boxes of our memories, our achievements and our mistakes. It's a place where sport, culture, and history meet in one neo-Renaissance unit. Thank you for stopping by this monument. Now invited to further explore the area of Eastern Suburbia. Walk slowly through the orchards, feel the surrounding greenery and let your thoughts float freely. Perhaps you'll be interested in more details of Pilsen architecture or just relax this park. I wish you a pleasant continuation in your discovery of Pilsen. Goodbye.