Beneath our feet lie secrets dating back to the Gothic era. Welcome to the Harrachovský palác. Today, we explore this Baroque marvel. It stands proudly on Jindřišská Street in Prague’s New Town. This building is more than just bricks and mortar. It is a testament to Prague’s rich history.
The Harrachovský palác, also known as the Goldberg House or the Palace at the Green Meadow, has seen many faces. Its story began long before its current Baroque form. Older houses once stood here. The oldest dated back to the Gothic period. Cellars whisper tales of those times. In the early 16th century, these houses merged. Later, they were divided again. Owners came and went. This was especially true during the turbulent Thirty Years’ War.
In the 18th century, Václav Ignác, Count Deym ze Stříteže owned the property. He primarily used it for economic purposes. It served as a granary and storage space. Count Deym also owned another palace. It is now known as the Deym Palace. During the Prussian siege of Prague in 1757, artillery fire damaged the building.
A major transformation occurred around 1770. Jiří Tobiáš Goldberg of Kholberg expanded the Harrachovský palác. He connected it to another house. This created the palatial structure we see today. Antonín Schmidt was the architect. Previously, Ignác J. N. Palliardi was mistakenly credited. The palace underwent further modifications in 1777.
After several noble and bourgeois owners, Count František Arnošt of Harrach acquired the Harrachovský palác in 1856. He bought an adjacent garden. The palace then took on his name. In 1921, the Harrach family heirs sold the building. The Czechoslovak state acquired it. Later, it became property of Obuv Praha Company. In 1991, the building was sold during restitution proceedings. The buyer was a predecessor of HERITAGE REAL ESTATES.
HERITAGE REAL ESTATES began reconstruction in February 2015. The architectural firm AV 19 oversaw the work. The reconstruction was completed in 2017. Today, the Harrachovský palác houses several companies. The lower level has shops. The building also features the interactive Museum of Senses.
The Harrachovský palác blends Renaissance and Baroque elements. Its massive stone walls command attention. Antonín Schmidt’s design marked a key phase in Prague’s architectural development. The palace is a cultural monument of the Czech Republic. Strict preservation standards protect its legacy.
So, as you stand before this grand edifice, remember its journey. From Gothic cellars to a modern commercial space, the Harrachovský palác embodies Prague’s resilience and evolution. It stands as a living testament to the city’s enduring spirit.