Have you ever wondered what it was like to live in a modern house in the 1930s? The Villa Rothmayer, right before your eyes, offers a glimpse into that world. Built in 1929-1930 by the architect Otto Rothmayer for his family, this villa is a prime example of Czech interwar architecture. It’s not just a house, it’s a snapshot of a time. Inside, you’ll find the original furniture – simple and practical, just as Otto Rothmayer designed them. This includes chairs made of rough steel, a testament to his skill as a carpenter. The villa itself is stripped back, with a classicist-modernist look. You won’t see any fancy decorations, just clean lines and symmetrical windows.
Take a moment to imagine the Rothmayer family gathering in this very spot – Božena, Otto’s wife, a textile artist. Her work, inspired by folk art, is even on display in one of the rooms. Then there’s their son Jan, an electro technician and amateur photographer who, much like his father, loved to experiment with different materials and ideas. Take a look at the villa’s garden too. Josef Sudek, a famous Czech photographer, took many snapshots here, capturing the atmosphere and light of the place. You can almost hear the clinking of glasses, the murmur of conversation, and the children’s laughter echoing in the air.
The villa stands as a monument to their life and work, as a place where creativity flourished. Today, the Villa Rothmayer is part of the Prague Museum of Decorative Arts, preserving the Rothmayer family’s legacy for generations to come.