Whispers of power and diplomacy swirl around Kounický Palace. This grand baroque palace stands on Malá Strana in Prague. It has witnessed centuries of history. Kounický Palace wasn’t always a palace. It began as two Gothic houses. These houses were transformed through Renaissance and Baroque renovations. In 1629, Johann de Witte, Grand Master of the Knights of Malta, owned the property. It later passed into the hands of Count Jan Adolf of Kounic in 1762. His son, Michal Karel, commissioned a significant rebuild around 1775. Antonín Schmidt designed the palace, while Ignác Platzer crafted the stunning facade decorations. This transformation cemented its status as Kounický Palace. Fast forward to the 20th century, and Kounický Palace undergoes another adaptation in 1931. Today, Kounický Palace serves as the Serbian Embassy. It continues to be a hub of international relations. The palace’s two-story main building, flanked by two side wings and a rear wing, echoes its rich past. Its street facade is a delicate dance between Rococo and Classicism, symmetrical and imposing. Above the entrance portal, a balcony with intricate wrought-iron railings beckons. The central part of the cornice rises into a tympanum. This features a relief of Pallas Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom and warfare. Atop the attic’s center, a decorative vase stands proudly, flanked by reclining figures and playful putti. Kounický Palace stands as a testament to Prague’s architectural and historical legacy. It continues to whisper stories of power, diplomacy, and artistic grandeur.
Dolní Břežany
Could this grand Renaissance castle have once been a humble medieval fortress? It’s true! This is Dolní Břežany, dominated by