New online database maps Prague’s art monuments and architecture
The Žižkov High Line, the Strašnice tram depot, or the Čapek brothers’ villa — all these sites, and hundreds more, are now part of a new online database created by researchers at the Institute of Art History of the Czech Academy of Sciences.
The freely accessible website, called Art Monuments / Architectural Manual, brings together hundreds of buildings and landmarks across Prague, and the number continues to grow.
The database does not focus solely on churches or major landmarks. It also includes apartment buildings, historic houses, squares, murals and sculptures — places people pass every day, but may not know much about.
One of the featured sites is the Huss Congregation building in Vinohrady. The striking Functionalist structure was designed by architect Pavel Janák in the early 1930s. During the Prague Uprising in 1945, it briefly served as an improvised radio studio, as Pastor Daniel Majer explains:
“At that time, organ concerts were being held here, and the Radio broadcast them live, so part of the equipment was already stored in the building. The local pastor and another parish member had connections to the resistance and reached an agreement with the Radio. When the Radio building was damaged during the Prague Uprising, they offered these premises for broadcasting. Additional equipment was brought in, and from May 7 to May 9 broadcasts were transmitted from here.”
Today, the building serves its original purpose again. Information about its history and architecture — along with hundreds of other sites — can be found in the online database. Klára Mezihoráková from the Institute of Art History explains how users can navigate it:
“When we open the database, right at the top we see a map where we can explore our immediate surroundings. So if a monument enthusiast happens to be standing here, they can use the map to find interesting sites nearby, including the Hus Congregation building. And if they are specifically interested in a particular building, they can of course search for it directly.”
Each entry includes photographs, the address, and the names of architects, builders and artists, along with both a short overview and more detailed research.
“There is a shorter text with basic information – ideally engaging and not overloaded with overly dry academic details. This layer is also available in English, so foreigners can use the database as well. In addition, there is a more extensive entry without strict limits in scope, accompanied by a list of literature and sources, including online resources and archival materials.”
For now, the website covers three city districts — Prague 3, 7 and 10. This year, the team led by art historian Markéta Svobodová is turning its attention to Prague 9.
“We will continue with the concept of processing Greater Prague – the ring of former municipalities and towns incorporated into Prague in 1920 and 1921. Our aim is to cover at least one city district each year. Usually, the work overlaps and we complete individual districts alongside one another,” she says.
The database https://umeleckepamatky.udu.cas.cz/en/ is free to access online, both in Czech and English.
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