Czech Republic - Table of Contents .................... Architecture Around the World

Schwarzenberg Palace
and
Carmelite Monastery

Prague, Czech Republic

Schwarzenberg Palace built:

1545-67

Architect:

Agostino Galli

Style:

Renaissance

Exterior ornamentation:

Sgraffito

Carmelite Monastery built:

Reconstruction of Renaissance buildings from 1654-1660

Architect:

Carl Lurago?

Style:

Renaissance exterior

Exterior ornamentation:

Sgraffito

TEXT Beneath Illustratiuons


Click on illustrations for larger size -- and additional information

Renaissance style

 

Renaissance style roof features sgraffito ornamentation

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sgraffito

 

 

.

.

.

.

Courtyard

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

.

.

.

.

Courtyard

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

.

.

.

.

Rear

Renaissance style roof features sgraffito ornamentation

 

 

 

 

 

 

Carmelite Monastery

Carmelite Monastery

Carmelite Monastery

Carmelite Monastery

 

Arcaded loggia

Top sgraffito: Egg-and-dart

 


Schwarzenberg Palace

Although the outside walls of the palace look as if they're made of raised bricks, they're actually entirely flat, an illusion achieved by the use of sgraffito decoration, which can be seen in various places around the country.

Built originally for the Lobkowicz family by the Italian architectAgostino Galli in 1545-67, the gabled palace is Florentine rather than Bohemianin style.

George of Lobkowicz, was imprisoned by Rudolph II. and his properties were confiscated. It became a possession of Petr Vok of Rosenberg .

After the Lobkowitz family, the palace belonged to Petr Vok from the Rozmberk dynasty, then belonged to the Svamberk dynasty, and the Eggenberg dynasty.

The noble family of Schwarzenberg (after which the palace called) gained it by marriage in 1719. (This palace should not be confused with the palace of the same name in Vienna, though it got its name from the same royal family. The Emperor with his courtiers moved to Vienna and some Prague noble families, including the Schwarzenberg, followed them there.)

From 1945 to 2008, the palace housed the Museum of Military History. In 2008 it became home to the National Gallery's collection of Baroque art.

Much of the interior decoration has survived.


Carmelite Monastery

The early Baroque Carmelite monastery was the result of a reconstruction of Renaissance buildings from 1654-1660. Carl Lurago is likely to have overseen this project, which was first carried out for an order of Barnabites. After its dissolution, the Carmelites received the monastery in 1791.


Photos and their arrangement © 2008 Chuck LaChiusa
| ...Home Page ...| ..Buffalo Architecture Index...| ..Buffalo History Index... .|....E-Mail ...| ..

web site consulting by ingenious, inc.