Zlatnice Homestead

Welcome to Prague's Dejvice. You're standing in a place that carries an incredible depth of time and a layer of stories that have been pouring around for centuries. You may find this surrounding architecture peaceful and ordinary, but try to close your eyes for a moment and soak up the atmosphere of this space. Imagine that you are constantly moving around in a time when the Baroque estate was slowly turning into a living center of social life. What you see around you is a reflection of history that is constantly being rewritten.

Let's go back deep into the past together to understand why this place is called Zlatnice. The name you're hearing today is not random. In the seventeenth century, it was not what we see today, but a place that was firmly linked to the craft. Originally there was a vineyard press, a place where wine was processed, which suggests that this area was once much greener and more agricultural than it is today. But the key figure for this name was a man named Gabriel Geldenhauer. He was a major Prague goldsmith who owned the land. His presence and work with precious metals have left a permanent mark in the memory of the site, which we have kept for centuries through this name. Imagine the goldsmiths' workshops, the precise work and wealth that brought this name to the site.

Now pay attention to how this place has changed over the years. The Baroque estate has become a place with a deep spiritual dimension over time. In 1708 the Chapel of the Greatest Trinity was built here. Even though this chapel no longer exists in 1961 and its shadow is no longer visible today, its existence has shaped the character of the whole area for more than 200 years. It was an anchor for the locals and for those who were just passing by. Even if you don't see her physically today, her spirit is still part of the history of this place.

Let us now move on to the period when Zlatnice became a place that was known far beyond the borders of Dejvic. The second half of the nineteenth century brought a major break. The estate stopped being just an agricultural and family residence and started living a new, social life. In 1879, the inn became a real center for popular people. But it wasn't any inn. It has become a well-known place for students, especially those who spoke German. Imagine those nights full of loud debates, laughter and discussions about science, art and politics. Zlatnice became a point where young minds met and the views of the next generation formed.

During this period, the site began to connect with Europe's great history. The atmosphere of the inn was strongly influenced by the then political storms, namely the Russian-Turkish conflict. This political tension has been written into every conversation at the table and every view of the guests. It was this era and the connection to the war that gave rise to something very special. The inn got the nickname Schipkapaß among the students. This name was not chosen by chance, but it referred to the Bulgarian Pass, which played a key role in the Russian-Turkish conflict. This symbolism gave the place a sense of importance and associated its peaceful homestead with great world events.

If you look around now, try to perceive the atmosphere of this place through its history. Even if you no longer see the original Baroque details in their full splendour, you still feel the nobility of the former estate. Pay attention to how history intertwines with human destiny. One of the most striking stories connected to this place is the story of an innkeeper named Moritz Milde. He was a character no one dared to forget. Milde wasn't just a simple provocation of the inn, he was his soul.

And here comes the truly fascinating part that may surprise you. Moritz Milde was not like the other innkeeper. In order to stand out and maintain his unique personality, he wore red fez. Imagine the scene: in Prague's Dejvice, in the middle of students and intellectuals, an innkeeper in a bright red headgear, serving guests and becoming the center of attention. This colorful personality and the inn itself have become such a powerful motive that they were later written about in literature. In 1908 the novel Der Schipkapaß was published, in which this inn and its atmosphere played a major role. The author, Karl Hans Strobl, was able to capture the elusive spell Zlatnice had at that time. Thanks to him, the story of students, red fez and Bulgarian passes became part of the cultural heritage.

Now I want to invite you to think a little bit about how much one place can change. From the goldsmiths' trade, to wine, to religious devotion, to student debates and literary legends. Zlatnice is not just a building or a plot. It's a palimpsest, a pedestal of events that left a trail. Although some elements, like the chapel, have already died, their significance remains in the memory of the place.

In front of you, there are still other possibilities for exploring. Dejvice is full of other hidden treasures and historical clues that await your discovery. Before you go any further, please stop for a moment, see this space and remember the goldsmith, the students and the innkeeper in red fez. Thank you for sharing this story with us. We wish you a beautiful and inspiring walk in history.