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 |
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Renaissance style roof features sgraffito ornamentation |
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Courtyard |
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Courtyard |
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Rear |
Renaissance style roof features sgraffito ornamentation |
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Carmelite Monastery |
Carmelite Monastery |
Carmelite Monastery |
Carmelite Monastery |
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Top sgraffito: Egg-and-dart |
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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 MonasteryThe 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.