Dream of a time when noble Czech sons learned fencing here. That was the original purpose of Straka’s Academy. Today, it serves as the seat of the Czech Republic’s government.
Straka’s Academy has a rich history. It begins with Count Jan Petr Straka. In 1710, he willed his fortune to educate impoverished noble sons. However, it took many years for his vision to materialize. The Straka Foundation was finally established in 1776. It was after the death of Adam Václav Jiří Straka.
Imagine the challenges of setting up such an institution. Negotiations with Viennese imperial authorities were complex. It took over a century for the academy to come into being. Yet, Straka’s will wasn’t entirely ignored during that time. A Benevolent Fund was created in 1780. It offered grants to Czech aristocratic students. Decisions about grant amounts became controversial. The Czech Estates protested imperial interference.
The Straka Academy building itself arose between 1891 and 1896. It was built on the site of a former Jesuit garden. Architect Václav Roštlapil designed the Neo-Baroque structure. František Thomayer designed its landscaped garden. Sculptures by Josef Mauder and Celda Klouček adorned the interior. Emanuel Dítě created an altar painting of St. Wenceslas.
The academy boasted modern amenities. Reading rooms and offices filled the ground floor. A grand hall hosted festive events. Classrooms, bedrooms and a chapel occupied the upper floors. Central heating, a bath, gymnasiums and an infirmary were all available.
To be admitted, students needed aristocratic lineage. They also needed proof of education and good health. Paying students could attend too, even without Czech heritage.
The Straka Academy’s educational role was short-lived. World War I changed everything. The Red Cross converted the building into a hospital. Classrooms became wards with 470 beds. The grand hall transformed into an operating theater. Students moved to Wallenstein Palace. After the war, various institutions vied for the building. It housed ministries and student organizations.
During the German occupation, the Protectorate government took over. Later, it became home to a court of the German Reich.
Since 1945, Straka’s Academy has been the seat of the Czechoslovak and later Czech government. Seventeen prime ministers have held office here. In the gardens, you can view sculptures. The Lion and the She-Wolf was donated by the Italian Embassy. Cleopatra and Libyan goddess Sibyl are also on display. These gardens offer a peaceful escape. You can stroll through them on Saturdays from May to mid-October. Straka’s Academy stands as a testament to Prague’s history. It reflects education, war, and governance.