The wrought-iron gates whisper secrets. They beckon you closer to Jiránkova vila. This isn’t just any villa. It’s a story etched in metal and stone.
Jiránkova vila stands proudly overlooking the lower Rokytka River in Prague’s Hrdlořezy. It’s a family villa with a rich history stretching back centuries. Originally a farmstead called “Winice” it predates the 17th century. In the early 18th century a residential building was erected.
Before the Jiránkovi brothers acquired it the property had seen other uses. In 1911 Bohumil Tichý made brewer’s wort here. In 1923 Ladislav Jiránkek transformed it into a confectionery factory. He produced sweets chocolates and long-lasting baked goods. His brother Antonín a renowned patron of the arts added the high ornamented fence with balustrades and vases. Antonín housed a collection of paintings and art objects in the villa. Many were works by their third brother Miloš a notable Czech painter and graphic artist who sadly passed away in 1911.
Notice the unique craftsmanship. The villa boasts exquisite hand-forged window grilles and gates. The central feature is a pseudorenaissance gazebo. Inside its circular structure Antonín and Ladislav placed a baroque-style urn containing the ashes of their deceased brother Miloš. This metalwork a masterpiece by Alois Frolík resembles a richly decorated spiderweb. Intricate spirals swirls and stylized plant motifs create a stunning effect. The gazebo is nearly three meters tall.
The Jiránkovi brothers envisioned a setting as inspiring as the villa itself. Below the villa a terraced garden existed in the Italian style. This beautiful garden included an arboretum featuring approximately three hundred exotic mostly South American trees and shrubs.
After 1945 the Jiránkovi family’s art collection moved to the National Gallery in Prague. The confectionery factory and the entire complex were nationalized in 1950. Production of confectionery ended in 1973. Nestlé bought the property from Orion n.p. after the Velvet Revolution. They didn’t maintain it. Later Stavoreko undertook renovations but failed to complete them. The current owner plans to preserve the villa with some extensions. The former chocolate factory will be replaced with a new residential building in an industrial style.
Jiránkova vila’s story is one of transformation resilience and enduring artistic spirit. It’s a testament to family legacy and the enduring power of art. A true hidden gem of Prague.