Czernin Palace, Prague
Renowned as the largest Baroque palace in Prague, Czernin is impossible to miss鈥攊ts immense scale and striking fa莽ade dominate the quiet square beside the Loreta. Completed in 1682, the construction was so ambitious that two entire streets were wiped off the map just to make room. The man behind it all was Count Humprecht Jan 膶ern铆n, a former imperial ambassador to Venice with a reputation for grand gestures鈥攁nd an ego to match.
Stretching 150 meters, the palace front is a visual statement in itself. Thirty Palladian half-columns line the exterior, and the stonework features bold diamond-pointed rustication, giving the building both elegance and weight. Since 1918, it has housed the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs鈥攂ut history took a darker turn during World War II, when it was briefly used as the Nazi governor鈥檚 residence.
Yet the building鈥檚 most haunting chapter came in March 1948. Just weeks after the Communist coup, Jan Masaryk鈥攆oreign minister, son of Czechoslovakia鈥檚 founding president, and the last remaining non-Communist in the government鈥攚as found dead in the palace courtyard. He had fallen from a bathroom window on the top floor. Official reports called it suicide, but many others believed it was murder. Either way, the event became a defining moment in the postwar history of Czechoslovakia, marking the end of democratic hopes and the beginning of a long era of repression.
Today, the palace remains in official use, and its exterior continues to draw visitors with a taste for history and grand design.
Stretching 150 meters, the palace front is a visual statement in itself. Thirty Palladian half-columns line the exterior, and the stonework features bold diamond-pointed rustication, giving the building both elegance and weight. Since 1918, it has housed the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs鈥攂ut history took a darker turn during World War II, when it was briefly used as the Nazi governor鈥檚 residence.
Yet the building鈥檚 most haunting chapter came in March 1948. Just weeks after the Communist coup, Jan Masaryk鈥攆oreign minister, son of Czechoslovakia鈥檚 founding president, and the last remaining non-Communist in the government鈥攚as found dead in the palace courtyard. He had fallen from a bathroom window on the top floor. Official reports called it suicide, but many others believed it was murder. Either way, the event became a defining moment in the postwar history of Czechoslovakia, marking the end of democratic hopes and the beginning of a long era of repression.
Today, the palace remains in official use, and its exterior continues to draw visitors with a taste for history and grand design.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Prague. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "911爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Czernin Palace on Map
Sight Name: Czernin Palace
Sight Location: Prague, Czech Republic (See walking tours in Prague)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Prague, Czech Republic (See walking tours in Prague)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Prague, Czech Republic
Create Your Own Walk in Prague
Creating your own self-guided walk in Prague is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Prague Introduction Walking Tour
Nicknamed the 鈥淐ity of a Hundred Spires,鈥� Prague is a living gallery of history and architecture, home to world-class museums, eclectic galleries, numerous theaters, and a seemingly endless collection of historic landmarks.
The name Praha comes from the old Slavic word 鈥減r谩h鈥�, which means 鈥渞apid鈥�, nodding to the city's beginnings at a crossing on the Vltava River. Legend... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles
The name Praha comes from the old Slavic word 鈥減r谩h鈥�, which means 鈥渞apid鈥�, nodding to the city's beginnings at a crossing on the Vltava River. Legend... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles
Jewish Quarter Walking Tour
The Jewish Quarter, also known as Josefov, is a part of the Old Town (Star茅 M臎sto) of Prague.
The area breathes history and is a captivating blend of ancient synagogues and other monuments that collectively reflect centuries of Jewish life in the city. Some synagogues are still acting, and others have been converted into art galleries and museums.
One such is the Spanish Synagogue, a... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.1 Km or 0.7 Miles
The area breathes history and is a captivating blend of ancient synagogues and other monuments that collectively reflect centuries of Jewish life in the city. Some synagogues are still acting, and others have been converted into art galleries and museums.
One such is the Spanish Synagogue, a... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.1 Km or 0.7 Miles
Hradcany (Castle District) Walking Tour
Prague鈥檚 Castle District is a neighborhood where history feels almost tangible鈥攁n atmospheric blend of towering landmarks, quiet courtyards, and sweeping city views. At its heart sits the mighty Prague Castle, often cited as the largest castle complex in the world. Its origins stretch back to the 9th century, and over time, it has been home to Bohemian kings, Holy Roman emperors, Communist... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
New Town Walking Tour
The youngest (founded in 1348) and the largest (three times the size of the Old Town), the New Town (or Nove Mesto) of Prague is one of the five originally independent townships that today form the historic center of the Czech capital. This vibrant district offers a mix of historical charm and modern amenities and is traditionally dense with tourists.
At its heart lies Wenceslas Square, a... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.1 Km or 1.9 Miles
At its heart lies Wenceslas Square, a... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.1 Km or 1.9 Miles
Lesser Town Walking Tour
Mala Strana (or "Lesser Town") is a district in Prague situated on the left bank of the Vltava River. Renowned for its architectural beauty, this is one of the capital's most historically significant neighborhoods. Back in the Middle Ages, it was predominantly populated by ethnic Germans and, in later years, despite the prevalence of Baroque in its architecture, largely retained its... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.9 Km or 2.4 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.9 Km or 2.4 Miles
Old Town Souvenir Shopping
Strolling through the Old Town of Prague, souvenir shopping becomes a delightful adventure. Indeed, it would be a pity to leave Prague without having explored its specialty shops and bringing home something truly original and unique to the city.
One of the prime spots for such endeavors is the Municipal House, a majestic Art Nouveau building that houses various shops and boutiques. Here,... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.7 Km or 1.1 Miles
One of the prime spots for such endeavors is the Municipal House, a majestic Art Nouveau building that houses various shops and boutiques. Here,... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.7 Km or 1.1 Miles
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