Exclusive Prague Tours
  • Home
  • Tours
    • What You'll See >
      • Prague's Old Town
      • Prague's Jewish Quarter
      • Prague's Lesser Quarter
      • Prague Castle
      • Day Trips
  • Concierge
  • Guidebooks
  • Contact
  • Hotels
  • Prague Blog
  • Dining
    • Czech Cuisine
    • Czech Beer
  • Entertainment
  • Shopping
    • Prague Easter Markets
    • Prague Christmas Markets >
      • Prague Christmas Market Photo Gallery
  • Newsletter Sign-up Form
  • Testimonials

Prague’s Orechovka Neighborhood

2/18/2021

0 Comments

 
Prague-Orechovka-Neighborhood
If you’ve been following my blog, you will know that I spent much of last year exploring more of the Czech Republic than I’ve done in a while. I visited many places for the first time that had long been on my list, and I also revisited some of my favorite places, such as Cesky Krumlov.
But autumn brought a spike in COVID cases, and travel was restricted again. So I continued my “travels” within Prague, visiting neighborhoods I had never visited (or had never “studied”). One of them was Orechovka, through which you’ll likely pass if you go to the airport by taxi and one which I’ve always loved the look of.

On a clear, sunny, very cold day between Christmas and New Year’s, I visited this well-to-do area in Prague 6, just behind Prague Castle. It was more fascinating than I could imagine.

A NEW QUARTER FOR A NEW DEMOCRACY

Prague-Orechovka-neighborhood
Orechovka, located where a former Baroque chateau and garden once stood, is filled with 1920s and 30s apartments and villas. The former chateau and garden were destroyed by artillery in the so-called “Austrian Heritage War,” and the names of the streets, such as “Artillery Street” (Delostrelecka), reflect this history.

When the new democracy of Czechoslovakia was founded in 1918, there was a need for housing for government officials who would ultimately staff the new ministries that were about to be established, and the area where Orechovka is now was chosen, probably due to its proximity to Prague Castle and the seat of Czech power.

If you're headed to Prague, checkout my bestselling guidebook!
Picture
The above is an affiliate link from Amazon.

A tender was held for architectural proposals for a garden city of homes. The tender had many specifications, mainly concerning the sizes dwellings and the percentages of each size. But a variety of architectural styles was also required in order to avoid monotony. As an additional measure, more than one winning architect was selected to further ensure diversity.

The result was a mix of cottage-style houses like those found in English garden towns and Czech “Rondocubist” houses. Surrounding these apartment dwellings are large villas in Dutch, modernist, Baroque Revival and other styles.  Orechovka became a one of the best places to live after its founding up until WWII, and many artists were drawn to the area because of its peace and quiet.

A THRIVING COMMUNITY CENTER

Prague-Orechovka-Community-Center
The Community Center in Orechovka
The tender also called for a central square, which is currently named Machar Square after the poet who lived in the area. On its north side is a central building which was the commercial and social center of Orechovka.  To me it is reminiscent of the shopping centers found in towns on Long Island, New York State and New England. In its heyday it contained a cinema, shops, markets, a restaurant, a café, doctors’ offices and later a dance hall, library and post office. The cinema, which has an Art Deco interior, was operating until recently. I hope that this treasure will be preserved and reopened.
Prague-Orechovka-Community-Center
Prague-Orechovka-Community-Center
Prague-Orechovka-Community-Center

ENGLISH COTTAGE-STYLE HOUSES

From the shopping center you can walk down Spojena Street, where you’ll get your first look at some very interesting English cottage-style houses.
English-garden-house-in-Prague
English-garden-house-in-Prague

Sponsored:

CZECH RONDOCUBISM

Rodocubist-Prague-Orechovka
A Rondocubist apartment building in Orechovka in Prague
From there you’ll reach Delostrelecka and Klidna (“Calm”) Streets, which form a triangular square where they intersect. On these two streets you’ll find some of the most interesting and colorful Rondocubist houses in Prague.

Sponsored:

Rondocubist-Houses-In-Prague
Colorful Rondocubist houses in Prague's Orechovka neighborhood
Rondocubism is a unique Czech style of architecture and is one of my favorites, and maybe these photos will show you why.
Prague-Rondocubism
Prague-Rondocubism
Prague-Rondocubism
Prague-Rondocubism
Prague-Rondocubism

LOMENA STREET - VIRTUAL ENGLAND

The next variation in architecture is found on Lomena (“Angled” or “Broken”) Street, which, yes, takes a couple of angled turns. This street, more than any other, looks like an English suburb. Its houses, built in 1920-22 are modeled on houses in the English garden towns of Bedford Park and Letchford Gardens.
Prague-Lomena-Street-Orechovka
Lomena Street in Orechova in Prague
Standing at the corner with Pod Vyhlidkou Street and looking down Lomena, you can’t help but think you’re in England. It brings to mind a newsreel or film from the UK. In fact, many movies filmed in Prague that are set in England are filmed on this street, with none the wiser, for that reason!
Prague-English-Style-Houses
Prague-English-Style-Houses
Prague-English-Style-Houses
Prague-English-Style-Houses
Prague-English-Style-Houses

ARTISTS' VILLAS

Walking east and then south on Lomena, you come to Na Orechovce.  Turning right, you’ll begin to see lots of large villas with varying styles, including Baroque Revival, Art Deco, Modernist and more.  Crossing Na Orechovce and walking east on Cukrovarnicka and west on Na Drackach, you’ll pass many homes that belonged to famous Czech artists.
Bretislav-Benda-Home-Prague
Bretislav-Benda-Home-Prague
These include the modernist villa of sculptor Bretislav Benda, the home of poet and novelist Machar for whom the main square is named, and the villa of Vaclav Spala, one of the Czech Republic’s most well-known and collected artists of the early 20th century. He hired his colleague from the art association, architect Otokar Novotny, to design his house which had living quarters for Spala and his family as well as a studio for his work.

Sponsored:

Prague-Vaclav-Spala-house
The home of Czech painter Vaclav Spala
The Dutch-style house with its red brick façade is unusual in the Czech Republic. Next door to Spala’s house is the home of painter Alfred Justitz. Though it is also made with red brick, it was done by a different architect.
Prague-Vaclav-Spala-house
Prague-Vaclav-Spala-house
Prague-Vaclav-Spala-house
Finally we come to the home of painter and writer Vaclav Fiala, pictured below.
Vaclav-Fiala-home-in-Prague
The home of painter and writer Vaclav Fiala

TOURS AND MORE

I hope you've enjoyed this virtual visit to Prague's Orechovka neighborhood. Even though this post has covered lots of houses and styles, there's a lot more to see in the area. I certainly hope that travel returns soon, and if you'd like to tour this area when you come to prague, please contact me and we can arrange it!

In the meantime, be well.
0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    ​YOUR DONATION HELPS ME KEEP THIS BLOG GOING.
    Even a small donation will help and is much appreciated!
    Consider making a donation today!

    Author

    I am an American who has been living in Prague for two decades. After a long career in international finance, I left the business world to pursue other interests. I now work as a writer, mentor and guide to the city.

    Archives

    February 2025
    August 2024
    June 2024
    April 2024
    February 2024
    November 2023
    July 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    February 2023
    November 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    May 2022
    February 2022
    November 2021
    September 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    February 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    August 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    September 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015

    Categories

    All
    2020
    Adolf Loos Architecture
    Albert Einstein
    Amadeus
    Architecture
    Baroque Architecture
    Bata Shoes
    Beer
    Best Prague Restaurants
    Beyond Prague
    Book About World War I
    Books About Prague
    Brewery Tour
    Bucket List
    Budweiser
    Cafe Culture
    Červený Jelen
    Červený Jelen Restaurant
    Český Krumlov
    Christmas
    Christmas During Coronavirus In Prague
    Christmas Gift Ideas
    Christmas In Prague
    Christmas Shopping
    Christmas Shopping Guide
    Classical Music
    Coffee Culture
    Coronavirus
    Coronavirus In Prague
    Coronavirus In The Czech Repbulic
    Coronavirus In The Czech Republic
    Coronavirus Outbreak
    Coronavirus Outbreak In Prague
    Coronavirus Reading List
    Coronaviurs In Prague
    COVID
    COVID 19
    COVID-19
    COVID19
    COVID#19 Prague
    Czech Architecture
    Czech Beer
    Czech Beer Brands
    Czech Breweries
    Czech Brewery Tour
    Czech Cities
    Czech Cubist Architecture
    Czech Cuisine
    Czech Famous Breweries
    Czech Food
    Czech Jewish Heritage
    Czech Jews
    Czech-pilsner
    Czech Republic
    Czech-rondocubism
    Czech Wedding
    Czech Wine
    Destination Wedding
    Destination Wedding In Prague
    Dining In Prague
    Dresden
    Dvorak
    Easter
    Easter Markets
    Einstein
    European Jewish History
    Food
    Foodies
    Franz Kafka
    Gelato
    Germany
    Gothic Architecture
    Great Prague Guidebooks
    Great Synagogue In Pilsen
    Habsburg History
    Hanukkah
    Hanukkah Gift Ideas
    Hapsburg
    Hapsburg Empire
    Hapsburg History
    History Of The Great War
    History Of The Hapsburg Empire
    History Of World War I
    Hluboka
    Hluboka Chateau
    Hluboka Nad Vltavou
    Holiday Gift Ideas
    Holidays
    Holiday Shopping
    Holidays In Prague
    Holocaust
    Hradec Kralove
    Ice Cream
    Jan Santini
    Jewish Heritage
    Jewish Heritage In Pilsen
    Jewish History
    Judaism
    Kafka
    Kutná Hora
    Lednice
    Liberec
    Madeleine Albright
    Microbreweries
    Mikulov
    Milos Forman
    Moravia
    Mozart
    Music
    Old Synagogue In Pilsen
    Orechovka
    Passage To Byzantium
    Passover
    Pilsen
    Pilsner
    Pilsner Urquell
    Pislner Urquell Brewery Tour
    Prague
    Prague 6
    Prague - A Great Wedding Destination
    Prague Architecture
    Prague Beer
    Prague Cafe Culture
    Prague Caronavirus Update On March 9
    Prague Christmas Gifts
    Prague Coronavirus
    Prague Day Trips
    Prague Facts
    Prague Farmers Markets
    Prague Favorite Things
    Prague Food
    Prague Gardens
    Prague Guide
    Prague Guidebooks
    Prague History
    Prague Holiday Gifts
    Prague Ice Cream
    Prague Jews
    Prague Markets
    Prague Public Transit
    Prague Public Transport
    Prague Public Transportation
    Prague Pubs
    Prague Restaurant Guide
    Prague Restaurants
    Prague's Easter Markets
    Prague's Jewish History
    Prague's Jewish Quarter
    Prague's Orechovka Neighborhood
    Prague Spring
    Prague's Public Transprotation
    Prague Tram
    Prague Transit
    Prague Transportation
    Prague Travel Accessories
    Prague Travel Guide
    Prague Travel Reading
    Prague Travel Tips
    Prague Walks
    Prague Wedding
    Prague Wedding Destination
    Rondocubism
    The Hapsburgs And World War I
    Tomas Bata
    Top Prague Restaurants
    Travel
    Travel Accessories
    Travel During Coronavirus
    Travel Ideas
    Travel In 2022
    Travel Reading
    Travel Tips
    UNESCO World Heritage Sites
    Unique Prague Guidebooks
    Vaccine Passports
    Valtice
    Vysehrad
    Wedding
    Wedding Destination
    Wedding In Prague
    Wedding Planning
    Weddings
    Wine Tasting
    World War I
    World War II
    WWI
    Zdar Nad Sazavou
    Zelena Hora
    Zlin

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Home
  • Tours
    • What You'll See >
      • Prague's Old Town
      • Prague's Jewish Quarter
      • Prague's Lesser Quarter
      • Prague Castle
      • Day Trips
  • Concierge
  • Guidebooks
  • Contact
  • Hotels
  • Prague Blog
  • Dining
    • Czech Cuisine
    • Czech Beer
  • Entertainment
  • Shopping
    • Prague Easter Markets
    • Prague Christmas Markets >
      • Prague Christmas Market Photo Gallery
  • Newsletter Sign-up Form
  • Testimonials