The Kinsky Palace in Prague is a home of exquisite architecture and art. Golts-Kinsky Palace Excerpt characterizing the Kinsky Palace
The Rococo building, designed by Anselmo Lurago or K. I. Dientzenhofer (there is some debate about the authorship), was built between 1755 and 1765 for Jan Arnošt Golz ( Golč)).
On this site previously stood the house “At the Old Currency” (U staré měny) and the “Muglicerovský” house, also called the house “At the Royal Throne” (U Stolice královské).
In 1768 (after the death of Count Goltz) the palace was bought by Count František Oldřich hrabě Kinský.
The palace remained in the ownership of the Kinsky family until 1945.
Under Prince Rudolf Kinsky, a general reconstruction of the residence began in 1836, carried out by the architect Jindřich Koch. The houses “U Pechanů” were attached to the building; the interiors were decorated in the style of late classicism, in the Empire style.
The main facade is divided by two risalits, completed with triangular pediments, between which are installed sculptures made in the studio of Ignác František Platzer (allegory of the Elements and ancient deities). In May 1945 they were damaged and therefore they were replaced with copies in 1956.
According to Platzer's sketches, the plaster decorations of the tympanums of the pediments were also made, probably made by Santino G. Bussi (on mythological themes, such as, for example, the abduction of Europa, etc.). He is also the author of the reliefs above the windows (Madonna and Child and St. Jan Nepomucký).
In 1843, Baroness Berta von Suttnerová-Kinská, who received the first Nobel Peace Prize in 1905, was born in the palace.
Franz Kafka attended the German gymnasium, located on the third floor of the palace, from 1893 to 1901. His father had his own dry goods store on the ground floor of this house from 1912 until his death.
Until 1929, the Polish embassy was located here.
On February 25, 1948, Klement Gottwald spoke from the balcony of the palace and proclaimed communist power in the country.
In 1995 - 2000, the palace was reconstructed. In particular, the library of the Kinsky family, Romanesque and Gothic cellars, which are under strict state protection, were restored.
After its reconstruction, a Kafka bookstore (Kafkovo knihkupectví) opened in the premises of the palace.
The Information Center of the National Gallery was created here, the offices of which are located in the rear tract of the palace, there is a cafe and a museum shop.
The front wing houses an exhibition space.
The Kinski Palace is a national cultural monument.
(Information taken from the official Prague tourism portal: praguewelcome.cz/srv/www/ru/o…)
It’s surprising that having visited Old Town Square many times, I never specifically focused my attention on this beautiful building. There are too many interesting things there, and, frankly, it’s dizzying: there are musicians, horses, clowns and famous chimes...
I wouldn’t have remembered it, but by chance, while looking for material on another object, I came across this material.
I decided to see if I had photographs of this building. It turned out there are, and even many, made at different times, during my different visits to Prague.
On the Turbine website I did not find any mention of this beautiful house with a rich interesting history.
That's why I decided to write this advice.
👁 Do we book the hotel through Booking as always? Booking is not the only thing in the world that exists (🙈 for a huge percentage from hotels - we pay!) I have been practicing for a long time
Story
The palace was built for Count Jan Armost Göltz in 1755-1765. The building was designed by the court architect Kilian Dientzenhofer, and construction was carried out under the direction of Anselmo Lurago. The building was built in the Rococo style, painted pink and white. On the facade there are stucco decorations by S. Bossi. The upper floors are decorated with many statues of ancient gods, sculpted by Ignaz Platzer. Two symmetrically located entrances are connected by a narrow balcony on the second floor.
After the death of J. A. Goeltz, in 1768, a representative of the Kinsky family, Stepan Kinsky, acquired the palace from the Goeltz family, which is why the building got its name. During the period when the palace belonged to the Kinskys. its interiors were restored in the classicist style. In 1835, the palace was reconstructed and added to another building under the direction of the architect Kranner.
Bertha von Suttner was born in the palace on June 9, 1843, née Countess Kinski, who later became a prominent figure in the international pacifist movement, the first woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize () and the second woman to receive the Nobel Prize (after Marie Curie).
At the end of the 19th - beginning of the 20th century, Hermann Kafka, the father of the writer Franz Kafka, ran a haberdashery store on the ground floor of the palace, and Franz himself attended the gymnasium, located in the same building, from 1893 to 1901. During the February events of 1948, communist leader Klement Gottwald addressed the people from the balcony of the palace.
Since 1949, the building has been used as an exhibition hall of the National Gallery, and in 1962 it was included in the List of National Cultural Monuments of the Czech Republic.
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An excerpt characterizing the Kinski Palace
Brought to your window.I quietly took you by the shoulders,
And he said, not hiding his smile:
“So it was not in vain that I waited for this meeting,
My beloved star...
Mom was completely captivated by dad's poems... And he wrote them to her a lot and brought them to her work every day along with huge posters drawn by his own hand (dad was a great drawer), which he unrolled right on her desktop, and on which , among all kinds of painted flowers, it was written in large letters: “Annushka, my star, I love you!” Naturally, what woman could withstand this for a long time and not give up?.. They never parted again... Using every free minute to spend it together, as if someone could take it away from them. Together they went to the movies, to dances (which they both loved very much), walked in the charming Alytus city park, until one fine day they decided that enough dates were enough and that it was time to look at life a little more seriously. Soon they got married. But only my father’s friend (my mother’s younger brother) Jonas knew about this, since this union did not cause much delight on either my mother’s or my father’s side of the family... My mother’s parents predicted for her a rich neighbor-teacher, whom they really liked, as her groom and, in their opinion, he “suited” his mother perfectly, and in his father’s family at that time there was no time for marriage, since grandfather was sent to prison at that time as an “accomplice of the nobles” (by which, they probably tried to “break” the stubbornly resisting dad), and my grandmother ended up in the hospital from a nervous shock and was very sick. Dad was left with his little brother in his arms and now had to run the entire household alone, which was very difficult, since the Seryogins at that time lived in a large two-story house (in which I later lived), with a huge old garden around. And, naturally, such a farm required good care...
So three long months passed, and my dad and mom, already married, were still going on dates, until my mom accidentally went to my dad’s house one day and found a very touching picture there... Dad stood in the kitchen in front of the stove, looking unhappy “replenishing” the hopelessly growing number of pots of semolina porridge, which at that moment he was cooking for his little brother. But for some reason the “evil” porridge became more and more, and poor dad could not understand what was happening... Mom, trying with all her might to hide a smile so as not to offend the unlucky “cook,” immediately rolled up her sleeves began to put this whole “stagnant household mess” in order, starting with the completely occupied, “porridge-filled” pots, the indignantly sizzling stove... Of course, after such an “emergency”, my mother could no longer calmly observe such a “heart-tugging” male helplessness, and decided to immediately move to this territory, which was still completely foreign and unfamiliar to her... And although it was not very easy for her at that time either - she worked at the post office (to support herself), and in the evenings she went to preparatory classes classes for medical school exams.
She, without hesitation, gave all her remaining strength to her exhausted young husband and his family. The house immediately came to life. The kitchen smelled overwhelmingly of delicious Lithuanian zeppelins, which my dad’s little brother adored and, just like dad, who had been sitting on dry food for a long time, he literally gorged himself on them to the “unreasonable” limit. Everything became more or less normal, except for the absence of my grandparents, about whom my poor dad was very worried, and sincerely missed them all this time. But now he already had a young, beautiful wife, who, as best she could, tried in every possible way to brighten up his temporary loss, and looking at my father’s smiling face, it was clear that she succeeded quite well. Dad’s little brother very soon got used to his new aunt and followed her tail, hoping to get something tasty or at least a beautiful “evening fairy tale”, which his mother read to him in great abundance before bed.
The luxurious building of the Golts-Kinsky Palace faces the elegant Old Town Square. This is the heart of the Stare Mesto district; it is simply impossible to miss this square while walking.
The neat cream-colored building, located next to the Church of Our Lady of Tyn, currently hosts various exhibitions of graphic works. Here you can see copies of works by outstanding masters: Durer, Dali, Picasso and many others.
When the Old Town Square was being built, all the houses had to stand in one row so as not to violate the integrity of the architectural ensemble. But the owner of the future palace, Count Jan Goltz, decided to cheat and bribe the officials who controlled the construction. And so it turned out that the Golts-Kinsky Palace stands out from the general row and occupies an extra two meters of space. By the way, dishonest officials were hanged right in front of the palace as a warning to the remaining employees, but it was too late to change anything.
After the death of Count Goltz, the palace was bought by the Kinsky family, which owned the building until the end of World War II. Then the palace became the property of the state.
The palace was built in the Rococo style, decorated with rich stucco and immediately attracts the attention of all tourists who find themselves in the square. The guides say that in this beautiful building a gymnasium was opened in the 19th century, where Franz Kafka studied. His father owned a haberdashery store, which was opened on the first floors of this palace. Therefore, if you are going to walk through Kafka's sites in Prague, be sure to go to the Goltz-Kinsky Palace.
Of course, palaces are one of the most important components of the historical and cultural heritage of the Czech Republic, and the most famous and luxurious of them are located in Prague. We tried to collect interesting information about ten palaces in Prague (except the palaces located on Hradcany Square), known for their magnificence and rich history. A visit to these can be considered an “optional” for a historical tourist or art critic.
The Goltz-Kinsky Palace (Palác Kinských) is located in the northeastern part. This luxurious Baroque building with Rococo elements was built in the mid-18th century by order of Count Goltz, and later acquired by Count Kinsky. Since 1945, the Golts-Kinsky Palace has belonged to the state. It now houses the Prague National Gallery, which is one of the largest in the world and contains a collection of ancient art from the Far East, Asia, North America and Europe.
The fates of famous people are connected with the Golts-Kinsky Palace. Beethoven played here, invited by Count Kinsky, Bertha von Suttner, the first woman awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, was born, and at the end of the 19th century, when a gymnasium was located on one of the floors of the palace, it was visited by.
Address: Staroměstské náměstí, 606/12
How to get there:
Address: Pražský hrad, 1
How to get there:
The easiest way to get to Prague Castle is to take tram No. 12, 20, 22 or to the stop/station “Malostranské náměstí” and walk up Nerudova Street to the main entrance. Another option: take tram number 22 to the “Pražský hrad” stop, without having to overcome the long climb on foot.
GPS coordinates: 50.090606N, 14.401592E
Zofín Palace (Palác Žofín), built in the 19th century in the neo-Renaissance style, is located on the Slavic Island opposite the National Theater in the very center of Prague. The palace was named after Sophia of Bavaria: Sofia in Czech is Zofie, that is, “Zofie”. From the very beginning of its existence, Zofin became the cultural and business center of Prague. Such famous historical figures as Wagner, Dvorak, Liszt, Berlioz, Smetana, Schubert, Tchaikovsky performed in its halls. Nowadays, Zofin Palace regularly hosts events such as fashion festivals, concerts of classical music and world-famous stars, exhibitions and ballroom seasons. The international festival “Golden Prague” takes place here.
The palace consists of four halls - Big, Small, Knight's and Primator's. The first is used for high-level meetings, the second for gala dinners and concerts. The Knights' Hall is intended for dancing to medieval music, and the Primatorsky Hall is for business negotiations.
The interior of the palace amazes visitors with ceiling moldings, beautiful paintings and a unique view of Mala Strana. At the same time, modern technologies are actively used in the palace. The newlyweds turned the palace into their favorite wedding venue.
Address: Slovanský island, 226/8
How to get there:
Inside the palace, visiting the Richelieu Guest Room, the Dining Room and numerous halls, you can examine sculptures by 18th century artists, frescoes, painted ceilings, crystal chandeliers, marble statues and tapestries. Each room is decorated in a specific style and has survived historical events that left a mark on the history of Europe. Nowadays the French embassy is located in the Bukvoy Palace, so you can, unfortunately, see the interior decoration with your own eyes only on open days.
Address: Velkopřevorské náměstí, 486/2
How to get there:
In the mid-17th century, the Wallenstein Palace (Valdštejnský palác) and the garden were plundered by Swedish invaders, so almost everything that you can now see in the palace complex is a copy, the result of painstaking restoration. After 1945, the palace belongs to the state, and now the Czech Senate operates here.
Address: Valdštejnské náměstí,17/4
How to get there:
The nearest station is Malostranská (green line). Tram stop (No. 5, 12, 18, 20, 22) - with the same name Malostranská.
GPS coordinates: 50.090027N, 14.405348E
This beautiful palace, located in - one of the first examples of Renaissance architecture in the Czech Republic. It was built in the 16th century and was intended as a gift to Queen Anne from her husband King Ferdinand I. The palace was supposed to serve for royal entertainment, and the first floor was dedicated to a large dance hall, and in front of the entrance was erected, the effect of “singing” in which is created due to sounds of water hitting a bronze tray. For a number of reasons, the construction of the palace dragged on for almost a quarter of a century, and King Ferdinand’s beloved wife died without seeing the palace in all its splendor.
Nowadays, Queen Anne's Summer Palace (Letohrádek královny Anny) houses exhibition halls that are open to the public and sometimes hosts special events.
Address: Mariánské hradby, 52/1
How to get there:
The nearest stations are Malostranská and Hradčanská (green line). From Malostranská station, take tram number 22 one stop. From Hradčanská station, walk in a southerly direction for about 700 m.
GPS coordinates: 50.093847N, 14.403048E
Cherninsky Palace (Černínský palác) is one of the attractions. The construction of the family residence of the Chernin family began in the second half of the 17th century and, due to lack of funds, dragged on for more than half a century. By the end of the 18th century, the Chernins, having spent their entire fortune on maintaining the palace, moved to Vienna, and the grandiose palace in the late Baroque style stood in disrepair for several decades. In the 19th century, the Chernin Palace became the property of the state: the building housed an orphanage, a hospital and even barracks; the interiors of the Chernin family residence with magnificent frescoes and stucco moldings were destroyed.
During the reconstruction at the beginning of the last century, the Cherninsky Palace was restored to its original appearance and the original pieces of furniture and interior were preserved. During the Second World War, the Chernin Palace was the residence of the Nazi rulers of the Czech Republic, but now it houses the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and it was here that the Warsaw Pact was terminated at the end of the last century. The palace is closed to the public, but you can stroll through the beautiful park adjacent to it during public holidays and on Sundays.
Address: Loretánské náměstí, 101/5
How to get there:
Take tram number 22 to the Pohořelec stop from Malostranská station (green line). Then walk to the side for about 300 meters.
GPS coordinates: 50.088767N, 14.390705E
Liechtenstein Palace on Kampe
The Baroque palace, located on the very shore on the river, was built in the mid-17th century. However, the Liechtensteins, who bought the palace at the beginning of the 19th century, made a number of changes to the appearance of the palace in the classical style, and the Liechtenstein Palace (Lichtenštejnský palác) acquired its modern appearance in the Renaissance style at the end of the century.
During the occupation in World War II, the leadership of the NSDAP was located in the building of the Liechtenstein Palace. At the end of the last century, a complete reconstruction of the Liechtenstein Palace was carried out: the facades and wall paintings were restored, the interior was reconstructed, and work was also carried out to strengthen the masonry of the underwater walls of the palace. Now the palace houses government institutions.
Address: U Sovových mlýnů, 506/4
How to get there:
The easiest way to get to the Liechtenstein Palace is to cross the Charles Bridge and turn onto Kampa Island, then walk about 150 meters.
GPS coordinates: 50.085514N, 14.40888E
The Smiřický Palace (Palác Smiřických (U Montágů)), the family residence of one of the richest families in the Czech Republic, was built in the Renaissance style at the end of the 16th century. In the following decades, the owners expanded the palace, adding a nearby house to it, completed the tower, and the Smirzhnitsky palace became what we see it now. Thanks to the reconstruction carried out at the end of the last century, on the third floor of the palace you can see preserved painted ceilings in the Renaissance style.
