Josef Bohuslav Foerster

The Josef Bohuslav Foerster memorial plaque sits on a building in Prague's Malá Strana district, near Kampa Island, marking the house connected to the composer's family home. It is a modest but telling trace of one of the most important Czech musical figures at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries — the place where Foerster was born and spent his earliest years.

What does the plaque show?

The memorial takes the form of a plaque with a portrait relief (bust) by the Czech sculptor and medalist Otakar Španiel, unveiled in 1927, while the composer himself was still alive — Foerster did not die until 1951. It is mounted on the facade of the building known as the Mettych Palace (Hrzánský Palace) in Malá Strana, right next to Kampa. Plaques combining text with a small sculpted portrait relief were a common way of honoring Czech cultural figures in the interwar period, blending information with a modest work of sculpture.

Who was Josef Bohuslav Foerster?

Josef Bohuslav Foerster (1859–1951) was born in Prague on 30 December 1859 into a family with strong musical roots — his father, Josef Foerster the elder, was a composer and organist, so music surrounded him from childhood. J. B. Foerster became a Czech composer and musicologist known for symphonies, operas, chamber works, and vocal music, writing in a late-Romantic idiom marked by a personal, reflective tone. Part of his career unfolded abroad, working as a music critic and teacher in cities including Hamburg and Vienna, before he returned to his native Prague, where he died in 1951. His body of work remains an important part of the Czech classical music canon, alongside that of Smetana and Dvořák.

Why is this spot worth a visit?

Kampa and the neighboring Malá Strana district are among the most picturesque parts of Prague — a maze of townhouses, palaces, and quiet lanes right along the Vltava riverbank. The plaque dedicated to Foerster is one of those easy-to-miss cultural traces that add depth to the area, a reminder that Malá Strana was a cradle not only of architecture but also of major musical talent. For anyone interested in Czech musical history, it makes a natural stop on a walk through the neighborhood.

What else is nearby?

A walk through Kampa and Malá Strana pairs well with a visit to the nearby Lennon Wall, the Church of Our Lady beneath the Chain, and the picturesque lanes leading toward Charles Bridge. This is a district where the history of music, architecture, and art intertwine at nearly every turn — ideal for visitors looking for a quieter, less crowded side of Prague.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the plaque located? On a building facade in the Malá Strana/Kampa area of Prague, on the so-called Mettych Palace (Hrzánský Palace).

Who made the plaque? The portrait relief was created by Czech sculptor Otakar Španiel, and the plaque was unveiled in 1927.

Who was Josef Bohuslav Foerster? A Czech composer and musicologist (1859–1951), author of symphonies, operas, and chamber music, and one of the leading figures in Czech classical music at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries.

Is it worth combining with a walk around Kampa? Yes — it's one of the most attractive spots in Prague, and the walk takes about 15–20 minutes along the river.