1850s Prague Photography on Display at City Gallery

Some of the earliest photos ever captured of the Czech capital, from photographer Andreas Groll, are now open to the public

Dave Park

Written by Dave Park Published on 22.02.2016 15:44:58 (updated on 22.02.2016) Reading time: 1 minute

In the digital age, where every tourist is equipped with a camera, photos of Prague landmarks such as Charles Bridge, Old Town Square, and the Astronomical Clock are ubiquitous.

But do you know who took the very first photographs of the Czech capital?

Austrian photographer Andreas Groll is widely credited with capturing some of the first images of Prague, Plzeň, and Kutná Hora in the 1850s. He exhibited some of them at the World’s Fair in Paris in 1855.

In 1857, the photographer was awarded a medal for his work by Emperor Franz Joseph I.

In Prague, Groll focused on capturing the Czech capital’s famous landmarks, which included sights in and around Prague Castle, Charles Bridge, and Old Town Square.

His images are some of the earliest photographic records we now have of the city.

From now until May 8, you can see Groll’s early photography of Prague and other cities at the exhibit Andreas Groll (1812–1872): Unknown Photographer at Prague City Gallery’s House of Photography on Revoluční. Admission is 120 CZK.

New Town Hall after reconstruction, 1864 (City Gallery Prague)
New Town Hall after reconstruction, 1864 (City Gallery Prague)

Panorama of Malá Strana, 1856
Panorama of Malá Strana, 1856

Panorama of Old Town, 1856
Panorama of Old Town, 1856

Old Town Square, 1856
Old Town Square, 1856

Astronomical Clock & Týn Church, 1856
Astronomical Clock & Týn Church, 1856

Charles Bridge, 1856
Charles Bridge, 1856

Additional photos via Wikipedia

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