Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
120/60Kč; 10am-6pm Tue-Sun; 18, 22)
This striking art-nouveau villa, designed by
sculptor František Bílek in 1911, now houses a museum of his unconventional works.
Bílek's distinctive sculptures, mostly in wood, take inspiration from his religious be-
liefs. Dramatic compositions such as
The Fall
show Adam and Eve cowering in fear
of God's wrath, while
Wonderment
expresses the feeling of awe at God's presence.
Bílek's most famous work is a wooden relief of
The Crucifixion,
on display in St
Vitus Cathedral - you can see a charcoal preliminary sketch of it among the artist's
drawings in the 1st-floor gallery. The villa served not only as a studio but also as the
artist's home, and there are several rooms with handmade art-nouveau furniture de-
signed by Bílek, all rich in symbolism. Be sure to ask for an English text at the ticket
desk - it will provide some much needed context.
NEIGHB
NEIGHBOURHO
URHOOOD
NOVÝ SVĚT QUARTER
( 22, 23 to Brusnice)
In the 16th century, houses were built for castle staff in an en-
clave of curving cobblestone streets down the slope north of the Loreta. Today, these
diminutive cottages have been restored and painted in pastel shades, making the 'New
World' quarter a perfect alternative to the castle's crowded Golden Lane. Danish as-
tronomer Tycho Brahe once lived at Nový Svět 1.
GALLER
ALLERY
ŠTERNBERG PALACE
child 150/80Kč; 10am-6pm Tue-Sun; 22)
The baroque Šternberg Palace is home to
the National Gallery's collection of 14th- to 18th-century European art, including
works by Goya and Rembrandt. Fans of medieval altarpieces will be in heaven; there
are also several Rubens, some Rembrandts and Breughels, and a large collection of
Bohemian miniatures.
Pride of the gallery is the glowing
Feast of the Rosary
by Albrecht Dürer, an artist
better known for his engravings. Painted in Venice in 1505 as an altarpiece for the
church of San Bartolomeo, it was brought to Prague by Rudolf II; in the background,
beneath the tree on the right, is the figure of the artist himself. For a bit of grotesque,
snot-nosed realism, it's worth a trip to the back of the 1st floor to see the 16th-century
Dutch painting
The Tearful Bride
.
GALLER
ALLERY
SCHWARZENBERG PALACE
