Suchardův dům Museum building

Welcome to New Paki. You're standing in front of one of the most distinctive and beautiful buildings in the city. Suchardův dům, as you know, is not just an ordinary house on the corner. It is a monumental corner building, which, by its presence, determines the character of this whole part of the city and with its strength dominates the whole area immediately. When you look at it, you're probably the first to be interested in its unusual size and the way it neatly wedges into the space between the two original plots. Imagine that this house was not created as one single building, but was the result of a combination of two original, smaller ground houses. It was this connection that gave him the unmistakable corner track and the sense of stability and dignity that radiates from it for over a century.

To understand why this house looks so special and why you feel such a touch of art in it, we must return together to the end of the nineteenth century. The whole story begins in 1895 when the eastern half of this house was completed. A year later, in 1896, the construction was complete throughout its western part. But this house wasn't just a project for a project. It was a project with a deep human and artistic soul. The main mover, visionary and contracting authority of this whole building was Antonín Sucharda mladší. However, it was not just a simple property owner or an investor. He was a real artist, sculptor and carver, which carries deep meaning to what the building looks like today. His artistic eye, his attention to detail, and his need to surround himself with beauty, are piercing into every corner of this object.

Now I suggest you pay attention to the facade itself. Raise your eyes and perceive the rich, almost palpable decoration. Suchardův dům is an excellent and rare example of architecture, which, at that time, looked fearlessly into the past, that is, historical architecture. What you're looking at right now is mainly master sgraffiti decorating. Sgraffito is a fascinating technique that creates images or complex patterns by scratching into different layers of plaster, creating a wonderful contrast between light and darker shades. Feel the fine lines and shapes that cover the walls and give the building depth. Architects Otakar Wolf and Jaroslav Bret had to work in complete harmony with the artistic design of the Suchard family in order to make the whole building a harmonious and integrated whole. Among the most remarkable and precious elements that you can see right in front of you right now are the sgraffiti depicting the Holy God. It's one of those details that makes the house alive, gives it a sacred touch and makes it a real art unique.

Now, if you look at the details of the decor a little bit more carefully, you realize that this house was not the work of just a few people. It was a project that carried the energy of an entire family. Antonín Sucharda mladší put its expertise and craftsmanship into the work, but all members of his family participated in the rich decorating. So this house is essentially a great family work that reflects the talent and effort of many people. These walls reflect the life and creative power of prominent personalities. There is an invisible thread connecting this house with artists such as Mikoláš Aleš or Alois Bouda. These names are not only part of history, but part of the spiritual and artistic DNA of this place. Even Anna Suchard's name is inextricably connected to this house and his story cannot be told without reference to her.

And it is here that we come to one of the most charming and humane events that have taken place in this house. The building of this house was not just about bricks, painting and architectural plans. It was closely and very sensitively linked to the personal life of the Suchard family. The whole construction schedule, the whole work on the facade and the interior, was, in some sense, subordinate to one major life event - the wedding of Anna Suchard and Alois Bouda. It took place in this very house on 23 November 1896, shortly after the whole building was finally completed. Imagine the incredible joy, the pride and the atmosphere that existed in these spaces. Newly completed, beautiful and richly decorated house served as the most beautiful possible set to start a new life together. It is a fascinating combination of architecture and human fate, when stone construction becomes a silent but faithful witness to love promises and family happiness.

Today Suchardův dům serves not only as a private family residence, but as a place where history meets every other visitor. Since 1949, the City Museum Nová Paka has been based here, making the building a guardian of the whole city's memory. Although time passes, the house has preserved its beauty, which suggests its value. This manifested itself, for example, after a thorough and thorough restoration of the facade which took place in 2001. This house is really a living bridge that connects us to the past and allows us to perceive it through art and architecture.

But now I will not slow you down any further. I suggest you continue your search and be fully carried away by the atmosphere of this place. Perhaps looking at the other details of the facade or browsing around you will stop again and relive that feeling of wonder at the craftsmanship and artistic intent that was left here over a century ago. I wish you a pleasant continuation in discovering the beauty and mystery of New Paka.