Kaiserštejnský palác

Kaiserstein Palace is one of the most eye-catching Baroque buildings on Malostranské náměstí, the main square of Prague's Lesser Town. Built in 1714 from the conversion of two older Renaissance houses, its richly decorated facade draws attention from every visitor crossing the square on the way up to Prague Castle or over to St Nicholas Church. Today the palace is best known for one former resident: the celebrated opera singer Emmy Destinn, who lived here in the early 20th century.

Who designed the palace, and what are those rooftop statues?

The rebuilding was carried out by Giovanni Battista Alliprandi, one of the leading Baroque architects working in Bohemia at the time. He turned two more modest Renaissance houses into a single stately residence with two tall main floors and a smaller third storey above. The facade's most distinctive feature is its attic, topped with four allegorical statues of the elements — Fire, Air, Water and Earth — along with decorative vases. They were carved by the Italian sculptor Ottavio Mosto, whose work gives the otherwise monumental building a sense of lightness. The facade is one of the most recognisable on the entire square, a big part of why Malostranské náměstí is often ranked among the finest Baroque squares in Central Europe.

Why is the palace linked to Emmy Destinn?

Between 1908 and 1911, Kaiserstein Palace was home to Emmy Destinn, a Czech soprano who at the time ranked among the world's leading opera singers. She was a prima donna at the Berlin Opera, performed at the Metropolitan Opera in New York, and sang on stage alongside Enrico Caruso. Destinn rented several rooms in the palace as her residence during the years when her career was at its peak. This chapter of her life remains the story most closely tied to the building, and one of its halls still carries her name in memory of her stay.

What can visitors see at the palace today?

Kaiserstein Palace was declared a protected cultural monument in 1964. It now operates as an elegant event venue, with nine halls spread across three above-ground floors and a basement level, totalling more than 700 square metres, used for conferences, weddings and other celebrations. One of the largest halls, at nearly 200 square metres, is named the Emmy Destinn Hall and occupies the floor that once held her apartment. From the outside, the best way to appreciate the palace is simply to stand on Malostranské náměstí itself, surrounded by the other Baroque and Renaissance houses that make up this historic square.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is Kaiserstein Palace located? On Malostranské náměstí in Prague's Lesser Town (Malá Strana), right in the heart of the historic city centre.

Who was Emmy Destinn? One of the most celebrated Czech opera singers of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, famous for performances in Berlin, New York, and alongside Enrico Caruso.

Can you go inside the palace? The interior functions as a private event venue and is mainly accessible during hosted events rather than as a regular sightseeing attraction.

Who designed the palace's facade? Baroque architect Giovanni Battista Alliprandi, with the rooftop statues of the elements carved by Italian sculptor Ottavio Mosto.