The Villas of Prague

Michna’s Summer Palace, also known as Villa Amerika, is a baroque villa designed by Kilian Ignaz Dientzenhofer and built from 1717 – 1720. The villa has gone through some changes in its time. In 1793 the garden was redesigned in an English style and in the 19th century it became a garden restaurant, “Amerika.” Today, the villa houses the Antonín Dvořák Museum and contains items from the composer’s life. The most impressive feature is the fresco on the ceiling on the top floor. It can get a little cramped in there if there are large groups, so go early and avoid them. Check here for opening hours and further information.

This Neo-Renaissance villa is located on the grounds of Havličkovy sady. The palatial home was designed by Antonín Viktor Barvitius and the interior done by Josef Schulz for the Prague businessman Moritz Gröbe. The building’s rich ornamentation hides a dark history. During the Nazi occupation, it was the headquarters of the Hitler Youth in Prague, a bitter fact given that Gröbe was Jewish. The villa is open once a month for concerts, usually on Wednesdays at 7pm and once a year for a wine festival. Private group viewings can also be organized by contacting Simona Trazníková on 222 520 100. Tours are free. There is also a vineyard and winery in the park and a pavilion nearby which serves Panini, coffee and treats.

Built on the ideal of and ‘English home,’ this little piece of England in the Czech Republic is located in Prague’s suburb Strašnice. It was built for František Trmal, a noted educator at the beginning of the 20th century. The architect was Jan Kotěra, who designed a number of buildings in the Czech Republic, including the Museum in Hradec Králové. As far as great architecture goes, this place is quite rustic and homely. It’s no surprise that chickens were once kept here by the original owners. Today, the villa holds cultural events in the former barn. To book tours and check out their events, visit their webpage. The interior has examples of furniture and design from the period, including pieces by Kotěra. None of them are the original furnishings, which were thrown out when the villa was used as a music and art school.

This large imposing home is something of an antidote to all the spires and gargoyles rising up over Prague. Built between 1928 and 1930 and designed by Adolf Loos and Karel Lhota, Villa Muller is one of the country’s impressive examples of functionalism along with the Villa Tugendhat in Brno. Whereas many of the other buildings dazzle you with their ornamentation, here what hits you is the space. The 12 meter long living area and adjacent raised dining room open up with a view of the city. Despite Loos views on ornamentation, which he considered a ‘crime,’ there is some. In fact, the villa is blend of old and new. Visits are by appointment and are possible in English and Czech. Check the website for further information and a virtual tour. One interesting fact about the place, after the Mullers’ daughters left, the house was used as an archive of Marxism and Leninism – a historical irony for a businessman who had buzzers for servants in almost every room.

During a visit to Prague, American journalist Emily Yoffe commented how surprised she was with the examples of Prague’s Cubist architecture. Surely, the most impressive of these is the Cubist Villa under Vyšehrad, designed by Josef Chodol. If you aren’t aware of this gem it’s worth a stroll, or a tram ride, to see this perfect realization of angular beauty. Unfortunately, at the moment it is used as office space, so you will have to be content with a view from the outside. There are a few other examples of Chodol’s work in the vicinity: the apartment complex at 30 Nekanová and the triplex at 6-10 Rašínovo nábřeží.

To get to this villa is a bit of a climb. But it’s worth it to see the house the late Jan Kaplický designed before he immigrated to Britain. Those who know Kaplický because of his controversial plans for the National Library will be surprised. Instead of organic curves, this villa is modest and square, built more to blend in with its surroundings, tucked as it is on the slope; then to make a bold statement. It is not possible to go inside as it is a private residence. However, unless his library is built, this will remain Kaplický’s most enduring mark on his home town.