Wasn’t this once a Romanesque house? Look closely at the Palace Hrzán of Harasov. This magnificent Baroque building stands before us a testament to centuries of history. Originally a Romanesque dwelling it was later transformed into a Renaissance style building. But its most dramatic metamorphosis came in 1702.
Count Zikmund Valentin Hrzán of Harasov acquired the palace in 1701. He commissioned a complete restructuring. The architect Giovanni Battista Alliprandi oversaw this ambitious project. The reconstruction which began in 1702 took about two decades. It concluded around 1723 after the Count’s death.
The palace’s transformation is far from over. The Hrzán family didn’t own it forever. After the Hrzáns the Kinský family became owners. Later still the Vrtba family added another floor in 1801. Josef Zobel was the builder. In 1839 the Lobkowicz family took ownership. They embellished the courtyard with a classicist colonnade. The palace’s fate continued to shift. It became a tenement building housing various businesses.
Remarkably the parents of Franz Kafka Hermann and Julie Kafka ran a textile wholesale business here from 1906 to 1912. Later František Stadler took over until 1939. Imagine the stories these walls could tell. The whispers of merchants the laughter of children the echoes of history.
Today the Palace Hrzán of Harasov stands as a protected cultural monument. It endures. It is a silent observer of Prague’s ever-changing landscape. Notice the high Baroque vaults on the ground floor. They are original features surviving the numerous alterations. The upper floors and other wings underwent extensive renovations in the early 20th century.
Observe the main facade on Celetná Street. It showcases a stunning high Baroque portal flanked by a pair of Atlantean figures. These support a balcony with a classical balustrade. This portal leads to the Hrzán passage. It passes through both courtyards and exits onto Kamzíková Street. The Palace Hrzán of Harasov is a true hidden gem. It blends seamlessly into the fabric of Old Town Prague. Its past is rich and diverse a reminder of Prague’s enduring spirit.