Unknown Prague: Vaclavske namesti

Wenceslas Square, originally called Horse Market was established with the formation of the New Town in the middle of 14th century. Today it is the main center of Prague, actually only one true

Prague boulevard, 750 meters long with wide tree-lined sidewalks paved with Prague cubes (the technical term) assembled into mosaics, the center of Prague's business, entertainment, social and political life, gathering place for population during important historical events. It is not worth to describe Wenceslas Square on the "Prague unknown" elaborately, but I focused on the details of interesting buildings, interiors of buildings and arcades, just about pecularities that we often pass by, but do not notice them.

One of the remarkable landmarks of Wenceslas Square is a multi-functional complex of three buildings that make up the corner of Wenceslas Square and Stepanska Street - St. Stephen's Street. These houses were built between 1912-1916 designed by a leading architect of the Art Nouveau period and cubism Emil Kralicek, who was designing under the auspices of Matej Blecha´s construction company. That was the reason, why it took a longer time to attribute his designs to him (either the author was featured as unknown or his works were attributed to other architects). This complex of buildings is often referred as Supich´s houses. This structure is characterized by a mixture of geometric modernism with elements of cubism, which we can see on the striking facade. In contrast to the outer facade the courtyard facade is very modest. From the outside, the buildings have brutalist impression and we feel that those buildings could have been built at the time in New York. Within a block you'll find extensive system of passages - the Rococo passage inclined to geometric modern, especially its over-arching glass domes, while the Lucerna passage was built in at that time disappearing art noveau style.

Column head details

Ornament detail

Elegant Rococo passage

The dome in the passage Rococo

Entrance to the Lucerna cinema of the same name passage

The central hall in Lucerna passage

Art Nouveau jewel of Wenceslas Square - Hotel Europe, formerly Grandhotel Sroubek

Detail of torchbearers

Hotel entrance

Art Nouveau cafe of Hotel Evropa belongs to the most beautiful interiors in Prague. The cafe allegedly served as a model for the interiors of the Titanic, but I could not find this information as proven....

Pilsen restaurant in the basement

Another Art Nouveau gem - family hotel Meran

Beautiful mosaics and stucco decorations

Several baroque buildings have been also preserved on Wenceslas Square

Hotel Yalta was built in 1958, designed by Antonin Tenzer in the late socialist realism ( also called as Stalin gothic) style with the influence of functionalism. Not socialist ornament but tasteful geometric shapes were used for Socialist realism architectural style in its late stage. Design of the building is of the highest quality. A unique feature is its own fallout shelter, secretly hidden in second basement with thick walls, which should prevent the penetration of radioactivity.

Elegant staircase is a dominant feature of the lobby

Intimate corners at the end of the entrance hall

Can you guess what is in the next photo? The answer is ....... at the end of the article

At the end of the 19th century New Town became the center of the newly developing city. But the foundation of its medieval streets can not be sufficed for the needs of a modern metropolis and the demands for the growing business network. Thus Prague phenomenon arose - shopping passages, which allowed creation of new shops, restaurants, cafes and entertainment venues without additional street space.

Jalta passage

Also neighboring Palace of Books has the character of passage

Passage Svetozor famous for its ice cream

At the corner of of Wenceslas Square and Vodickova Street you will find a striking building. On the site was originally an ancient house with a brewery which was demolished by architect Antonin Wiehl, who was ironically a functionary of many monument institutions. However, in 1895-96 he built as compensation one of the most beautiful houses of the Czech renaissance with rich genre painting of Mikolas Ales and Josef Fanta. The painting represents the life cycle of a wealthy merchant. Antonin Wiehl donated his house to Czech Academy of Sciences, Documents and Arts.

Representational neo-baroque palace of Italian insurance company Assecurazioni Generali designed by architects Friedrich Ohmann and Osvald Polivka was built in 1896. The insurance company was based here until WW2.

Typical for Prague - vibrant boulevard .......

and ........ just around the corner a different world - a quiet Franciscan garden inviting you to relax with a view of the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Snows and the complex of the former Franciscan monastery. Church of Our Lady of the Snows was founded by the Roman Emperor and Czech King Charles IV. in 1347 as a temple for the intended coronation. The church should be greater than the St.Vitus Cathedral itself - 100 m long with the height of the ship of 40 meters. However the implementation of a bold project was interrupted by the Hussite wars and only the presbytery was implemented. Even the size of presbytery, however, can demonstrate you how magnificent the church had to be.