bývalá Battistova cihelna

Hidden within Prague’s vibrant tapestry lies the b\u00fdval\u00e1 Battistova cihelna. This former brick factory whispers tales of a bygone era. Let’s journey back to 1893, when Josef Battista, a man with a vision, laid the first bricks of this industrial marvel in the \u010c\u00e1blice district. Battista wasn’t just a dreamer; he was a shrewd businessman. He owned a vast estate and extensive farmland in \u010c\u00e1blice and Hrdlo\u0159ezi. He chose a spot called L\u00e1dv\u00ed for his ambitious project. Five years later, in 1898, the b\u00fdval\u00e1 Battistova cihelna officially opened its doors. A towering 30-meter chimney proudly pierced the \u010c\u00e1blice skyline, announcing the arrival of a new industrial force. The b\u00fdval\u00e1 Battistova cihelna flourished, churning out an impressive 25,000 bricks daily. This bustling enterprise quickly became a cornerstone of the local economy. Just before the outbreak of World War I, Battista, perhaps sensing the changing tides, moved to Karl\u00edn and leased both his land and the b\u00fdval\u00e1 Battistova cihelna. The factory’s fiery heart cooled in 1939 with the onset of World War II. The Avia company repurposed the space, transforming it into a warehouse. A brief revival occurred between 1945 and 1948. Mr. \u010cervenka, a private entrepreneur, used the space to manufacture tiles and building blocks from slag. However, the winds of change swept through Czechoslovakia again in 1948. The b\u00fdval\u00e1 Battistova cihelna, like many other businesses, was nationalized. It became home to the research workshops and laboratories of Stavoprojekt, operating under the umbrella of the national enterprise PREFA. The brick kiln, once the heart of the operation, fell silent. In 1993, after the Velvet Revolution, the site was deemed highly polluting and slated for demolition. The street name, U Prefy, stands as a solitary reminder of the national enterprise’s heyday. For a decade, the fate of the b\u00fdval\u00e1 Battistova cihelna hung in the balance. Then, in 1996, a pivotal decision was made. The kiln and chimney were declared a national cultural monument, rescuing them from the wrecking ball. A private investor from Prague 8, armed with a compelling architectural study by Atelier Kr\u00e1tk\u00fd, purchased the site in 2003. The reconstruction carefully mirrored the brick factory’s original proportions. After years of painstaking work, the b\u00fdval\u00e1 Battistova cihelna emerged from the ruins, a testament to resilience. The chimney was meticulously rebuilt, brick by brick. A glazed wooden structure with a gabled roof and exposed beams now graces the kiln’s foundation. Today, the cool brick corridors house the new Battistova cihelna Restaurant. An adjacent building, clad in wooden slats, serves as the restaurant’s backdrop. The b\u00fdval\u00e1 Battistova cihelna stands as a tribute to Josef Battista’s vision and a symbol of Prague’s industrial heritage.