Vinohradská sokolovna Sokol gymnasium

Welcome, honourable visitors, to one of the most beautiful neighborhoods in Prague, in Vinohrady. Please stop for a moment and fully observe the space you are in. You're standing in front of a building that is a real colossus of its time and an important witness to our history. It's Vinohradská sokolovna. Look before you at this vast building, which stands on Polish Street, on the very edge of the Rieger orchards. It is a place where the calm of urban green meets the rigour and purity of modern architecture. The first impression that radiates from the building is a sense of stability, strength and expansion. It's a space designed for movement, for health and for the community, which is exactly what this building was meant to express from the beginning.

Let us now look together at how this magnificent building was built and in what context it was built. Let's move on to the 1930s. It was a time of optimism, the flowering of modern thinking and finding new ways to organize space for people. It is in this atmosphere that a plan has been made to build this centre. Construction work started in the year one thousand nine hundred thirty-eight. The famous architects František Marek and Václav Vejrych were responsible for the design of the building. Their goal was not just to create an ordinary house for exercise, but a real temple of physical life serving thousands of people. But history was cruel to this construction. Shortly afterwards, in the year one thousand nine hundred forty-one, the nearly completed building was prevented by German occupation troops. Imagine the disappointment of the then builders and athletes who saw their dream of a modern health center in the hands of the enemy. But this painful experience has given the building a tragic dimension and reminds us how closely it is linked to the fate of the entire nation.

Now that you're standing in front of the front, pay attention to the architecture itself. The building is conducted in the spirit of functionalism. What does that mean in practice? Look at her lines. Note that you will not find unnecessary ornaments that would only waste space or building material. Everything here is designed to fulfil its purpose. Functionalism says that the form must follow the function. And this falcon is a perfect example of that. It's wide, it's wide and it's very airy. If you go in now, I suggest you first focus your attention on the entrance hall. It's the heart of the whole building. Note the ceiling where the lights are placed. These detailed lighting solutions provide space of modern feel even after many decades. Right here in the centre of the hall, you will meet one of the most important figures of Czech sport. In front of you will stand the statue of Miroslav Tyrš, created by the famous sculptor Ladislav Šaloun. This statue is not only an ornament, but a reminder of the founder of the Sokol movement who believed that a healthy spirit belonged to a healthy body.

When moving further from the hall, feel the atmosphere of corridors that connect individual parts of the building. This path will lead you to the spaces for the trainers themselves. The Sokolovna has a large main hall designed to accommodate a huge number of people in joint exercises. In addition to this main area you will find several smaller halls for more specialised sports or smaller groups. For the audience there are prepared auditorium from which people could watch sports competitions and festive plays. It's fascinating to imagine the noise, enthusiasm and energy these halls had to fill in their greatest glory. And there are saunas in the building for those who were looking for relaxation after demanding training, which at the time of construction was a very modern approach to the regeneration of the human body.

With this place are the names that formed the identity of the Czech nation. In addition to Miroslav Tyrš, whose vision was the basis of the movement, the name Václav Špička is also inscribed here. Personalities like these gave life to the building. The Sokolovna was not only about halls and concrete, but about people, about discipline, about mutual help and about love for the country. Exercise in these areas was meant to be a way for a better person, someone who is strong not only physically, but also morally. That's why this building is so important. It's not just a sports complex, it's a monument to national pride and joint effort.

And now I'm going to take you to one interesting thing that might surprise you. Did you know that Vinohradská sokolovna is considered the largest falcon house in the world? Imagine the range. At the time of its creation, it was a real record building to show the strength and ambition of the Czech body movement. It's a fascinating idea that right here on Polish Street, there is an absolute peak of this type of architecture. This uniqueness has also been officially recognised, which is why the building has been protected since two thousand seven monuments. This means that the state recognises its irreplaceable value for our culture and history and ensures that its original features are preserved for future generations.

Now, when you look around you, remember the contrast that this building makes with the surrounding environment. On one side you have the dynamics of the city and on the other you have the calm of the Rieger orchards. This falcon is standing right on the border of these two worlds. It's a place where sport discipline meets the freedom of nature.

I hope this short trip to history has helped you better understand the importance of this place. Vinohradská sokolovna is much more than just a 30-year-old functionalist building. It's a symbol of endurance, health and national identity. Now I invite you to take a closer look at the building, go through its premises, if possible, or just slowly walk past its vast perimeter and try to imagine what stories have happened here in decades. Feel the silence in the corridors and imagine the echoes of last century's trainee voices.

Thank you for your attention and I wish you a pleasant continuation of your walk in Prague. Enjoy the beauty of the Vinohrad and be inspired by the spirit of this wonderful place. Goodbye.