Behold the Rott\u016fv d\u016fm! It stands before us a testament to Prague’s rich history and artistic spirit. This building is not just bricks and mortar. It’s a canvas telling tales of commerce and craftsmanship.
Rott\u016fv d\u016fm wasn’t always known by that name. Back in 1405, it was called “At the Ostriches”. Later it became known as “At the Three Golden Roses.” It even went by “Pytl\u00edk`s House”. Jan Pytl\u00edk once owned it. He helped print the first Czech Bible in 1488.
Fast forward to 1850. Vincenc Josef Rott’s family acquired the building. His son Ladislav transformed it into a department store in the late 19th century. The goal was to create a hardware store that could not fail to promote the name still further. This is when the Rott\u016fv d\u016fm got its current look.
Look closely at the facade. See the paintings? They depict various trades and industries. You’ll spot a blacksmith, a carpenter and a gardener. These professions reflect the goods once sold inside Rott\u016fv d\u016fm. Mikol\u00e1\u0161 Ale\u0161 designed these images. He was a famous Czech painter. He didn’t paint them himself. Dizziness prevented him from climbing scaffolding. L\u00e1\u010fa Nov\u00e1k and Arno\u0161t Hofbauer brought Ale\u0161’s vision to life.
Notice the inscription “Saint Wenceslas don’t let us perish, nor our descendants.” These words come from a 12th-century chorale. They add a layer of history and faith to Rott\u016fv d\u016fm.
Step back for a broader view. The Rott\u016fv d\u016fm stands three stories tall. Its neo-Renaissance style is striking. The sgraffito paintings bring the facade to life. Above the second floor is the inscription Nedej zahynouti n\u00e1m ni budouc\u00edm, Sv. V\u00e1clave!. Two blueish birds guard the cartouche with this inscription.
Inside, Rott\u016fv d\u016fm once housed a famous ironmongery. It employed 170 people. The store sold so many goods. Up to six railway wagons a day. Their catalog boasted 70000 items. Imagine the hustle and bustle.
The Rott family’s business thrived until 1948. Then communists seized the property. The family emigrated. But the store’s reputation lived on. It remained a paradise for craftsmen and do-it-yourselfers until 1989.
After the Velvet Revolution things changed. The ironmongery closed. A delicatessen moved in. Then a luxury glass shop. Today, a Hard Rock Cafe occupies the space.
However, the Rott legacy continues. You can find a smaller ironmongery around the corner. It is on Linhartsk\u00e1 Street. The family’s entrepreneurial spirit lives on.
Before you leave, consider the layers of history within these walls. From its Romanesque cellars to its Renaissance and Neo-Renaissance facades, Rott\u016fv d\u016fm embodies Prague’s ever-evolving story. It reminds us that even as businesses change, art and history endure.