Strahov Monastery, Praha 1 - Hradčany (PNP Headquarters)

How to get there: tram Nos. 22, 23 (Pohořelec)
www.strahovskyklaster.cz

The extensive complex of buildings was founded based upon a proposal by the Bishop of Olomouc, Jindřich Zdík, by Prince Vladislav in 1143. It is one of the most important architectural monuments on Czech territory (and a national cultural monument). The complex includes the Church of the Assumption of The Blessed Virgin Mary, the Monastery with the Provisoriate, the Abbey, the Library, the St. Rochus Church, and farm buildings with land.

In 1950, the building was confiscated by the State. On September 21, 1951, the historical Strahov Library re-opened for the public, and a study hall and depository was built. The library served as the collection point for monastic libraries that were confiscated in bulk at closed monasteries. The library became a part of the Museum of Czech Literature (PNP), which has entertained its main office here since 1952; during 1952-1990 it was the building administrator. The Institute for Czech and World Literature at the Czechoslovak Academy of Science was also installed here (until 1991). In 1990, the Monastery was returned to the Premonstratensian Order (the Royal Canonry of Premonstratensians at Strahov), the PNP is now a tenant who rents the space. photo

Hvězda Summer Pavilion, Obora Hvězda, Praha 6 - Liboc

How to get there: tram Nos. 1, 2, 18, 56 (Petřiny), entrance from Libocká Street, tram Nos. 22, 25, 58 (Vypich), entrance from Za Oborou Street
Phone: 220612230, 235357938, E-mail: letohradek.hvezda@centrum.cz

The deer-park "Obora" on the White Mountain was established by Emperor Ferdinand I (1534). During 1555-1556, a hunter's summer house was built here, a two-storey central building based on a floor plan in the shape of a six-pointed star, designed by Archduke Ferdinand from Tyrol (1529-1595), who acted as the Czech vice-regent in Prague (1547-1567). The construction of the Hvězda was overseen by builders G. M. Aostalli and G. Lucchese, and later by B. Wohlmut. The stucco decorations of the vaulted ceiling on ground floor from 1556-1560, the first on this side of the Alps, represent the pinnacle of quality. In the first half of the 18th century, the Hvězda Summer Pavilion suffered from the billeting of troops that took quarters in the park. As per a decree by Emperor Joseph II, the summer house served as an ammunition depot from 1785 onwards; this depot was closed only in 1874.

The site also contains the salla terena (1558), one of the oldest ball game halls in Bohemia (B. Wohlmut). During the 18th and the 19th century, it served as stables; only a torso has survived into modern times.

After the Czechoslovak Republic had been founded, the Summer Pavilion was submitted under the authority of Prague Castle (1918). The first major reconstruction took place from 1948 to 1952 (Pavel Janák), with the purpose to make the building available for the exposition of the Alois Jirásek Museum. Further reconstruction work took place in several stages, from 1986 - 2000. The main objective of the PNP in the course of the program "Prague 2000 - European Capital of Culture" was to open these architectural and historical Renaissance monuments of the first order to a broad circle of visitors from the Czech Republic and from abroad.

On May 25, 2000, the Summer Pavilion was re-opened to the general public (with a permanent exposition: "Past and Present"). It is now also the site for seasonal exhibitions dedicated to personages or periods of classic and modern Czech literature and literary culture, programs, concerts, conferences, and social events.
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Imperial Kitchen ("Forester's Lodge"), Obora Hvězda, Praha 6 - Liboc

How to get there: tram Nos. 1, 2, 18, 56 (Petřiny), entrance from Libocká Street, tram Nos. 22, 25, 58 (Vypich), entrance from Za Oborou Street
Phone: 235352600

The Imperial Kitchen (also known as "hájenka" - forester's lodge) in Prague 6 - Liboc was built at the same time as the summer house and ball room in the "Hvězda" deer-park on the White Mountain (1555-1558). It served its original purpose until the end of the 16th century; from the 17th - 19th century, it was a supply and farming facility of the summer pavilion. In 1951, it was converted, along with the other buildings belonging to the summer pavilion, into the seat of the Alois Jirásek Museum. The first reconstruction took place on the basis of a project designed by architect V. Tintěra (1968-1970).

When the Strahov Monastery in Prague was returned to the Premonstratensians (1990), the PNP was suddenly in need of exposition and storage space. When the concept of usage for the complex of the Hvězda Summer Pavilion changed, so did the concept of usage for the forestor's lodge.

The reconstruction was based on a project by architect T. Šantavý (2003-2004). The building now houses the depository of the library of Jiří Karásek of Lvovice and other libraries, an exposition on this poet and writer, and a study hall.

The forester's lodge was first opened to the public during the Days of European Heritage with the motto "New Life to Historic Surroundings" on September 15, 2005, and on occasion of the 50th anniversary of the donation of the Karásek Collection to the PNP (1955).
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