Prague, often referred to as “The City of a Hundred Spires,” serves as the captivating capital of the Czech Republic. It is adorned with a plethora of architectural marvels that seamlessly bridge different eras. Despite the ravages of World War II, the old town remains a sanctuary for Gothic-style buildings. The cityscape, a harmonious fusion of Baroque, Renaissance, and contemporary architecture, stands as an unparalleled spectacle on the global stage. In this feature, we unveil 12 indispensable architectural landmarks in the heart of Prague that await discovery.
① Powder Tower
② Dancing House
The Dancing House is one of Prague’s most renowned modern architectural marvels. The collaborative genius of Croatian-Czech architect Vlado Milunić and Canadian-American architect Frank Gehry envisioned this extraordinary edifice. Construction of this iconic structure commenced in 1992 and reached its grand culmination in 1996. What truly sets the Dancing House apart is its sinuous and captivating exterior, and topping it all off is a splendid restaurant, making it a must-visit destination for all.
③ St Nicholas Church
④ Kinsky Palace
⑤ Czech National Museum
⑥ Municipal House
⑦ St George’s Basilica
Founded in 920, St George’s Basilica stands as one of the oldest church buildings in Prague Castle. Contrasting its striking red exterior, limestone bricks decorate the interior, creating a calm atmosphere. Authorities designated it as a national cultural monument in 1962. From 1969 to 1975, it served as an exhibition space. Now, it houses the Prague National Museum’s 19th-century Bohemian art collection.
⑧ Villa Müller
Czech engineer František Müller commissioned architect Adolf Loos to design his house, which was completed in 1930. The Müller couple resided there until 1948. Subsequently, the building was a museum, warehouse, library, and research institute. The city government took over management after the Müller descendants sold it to Prague in 1995. Following restoration work completed in 1998, it reopened as a museum in 2000. Today, it stands as a highly regarded example of early modernist architecture.
⑨ House of the Black Madonna
Built in 1912 as a department store, the House of the Black Madonna, a prime example of Prague’s Cubist architecture, is the work of Czech architect Josef Gočár. The building underwent reconstruction in 1994 and restoration in 2003. It now functions as a decorative arts museum and café, hosting a permanent exhibition on Czech Cubism.
⑩ St Wenceslas Church
Designed by Josef Gočár, St Wenceslas Church is a Roman Catholic church. It opened its doors in 1930 to commemorate the 1000th anniversary of St Wenceslas’s death. The church, built in the Constructivist style, is notable for its stepped roof and bell tower. At the top of the 50m high bell tower, there is a 7m high cross.
⑪ Zizkov TV Tower
Construction started in 1985 and was completed in 1992. The Zizkov TV Tower is one of the tallest architectural landmarks in Prague. It serves as an observation deck, hotel, restaurant, meteorological observatory, and data center. The tower is famous for the sculpture Babies on its exterior. The sculpture, created by Czech artist David Černý, depicts babies crawling up the tower.
⑫ The Masaryčka Building
The Masaryčka Building is currently the most attention-grabbing architecture in Prague. The building is part of the Masaryčka train station modernization project, the work of the late architect Zaha Hadid, who passed away in 2016. Iraqi-born architect Zaha Hadid was the first woman to win the highest honor in architecture, the ‘Pritzker Prize,’ in 2004. The project team expects to complete the entire project by 2026. However, with the building’s finished exterior, it’s attracting many visitors to take pictures.
By. Ji Yeon Hong
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