Lažanský Palace in Prague

Lažanský Palace (Palác Lažanských) is a historic townhouse-style palace on Sněmovní Street in Prague's Malá Strana district, with a building history stretching back to the mid-16th century. Despite the name, the property only became associated with the Lažanský family relatively late in its history, after passing through several other noble owners and undergoing repeated rebuilding.

Where exactly is the palace?

The building stands at Sněmovní 175/5, in the Malá Strana (Lesser Town) district, just below Prague Castle and directly next to the seat of the Czech Chamber of Deputies — which is in fact how the street got its name. It's a location right in the historic core of Prague, surrounded by other aristocratic palaces, within easy walking distance of both Charles Bridge and the castle hill.

What is the history behind the building?

The original structure on this site dates to the mid-16th century and was built for the Wallenstein (Valdštejn) family. Between 1640 and 1670, it underwent a major rebuilding that gave it the Baroque character it largely retains today. A further round of work, carried out between 1735 and 1739, was overseen by František Maxmilián Kaňka, one of the leading architects of Prague's Baroque period. Ownership passed over the following decades to the Lažanský family of Bukovina, then to the Černín family, and by 1741 to an appellate judge named Jan Hennet. It wasn't until 1899 that Jan Karel Lažanský bought the property — and it's from him that the palace takes the name it carries today.

Who has lived there?

Among the building's more recent residents was the Czech writer and screenwriter Jiří Brdečka, known for his work in animation and film, who lived there from 1962 to 1982. His presence fits a broader pattern of this part of Malá Strana serving as a home for artists and cultural figures over the centuries.

What does the building look like, and what is it used for today?

The palace has a three-wing layout typical of Baroque-era residential architecture. It remains privately owned and today houses offices and apartments — it does not function as a museum or as a venue regularly open to visitors. As a listed cultural heritage site, it is subject to conservation protection, meaning any work on its façade or interiors has to take its historical value into account.

Is it worth visiting?

Because the building is in private use, sightseeing in practice is limited to viewing the exterior from the street. That said, the location itself — right on Sněmovní, next to the Chamber of Deputies and a short walk from both Prague Castle and Charles Bridge — makes it a natural stop on a walk through Malá Strana. It's a worthwhile point of interest for anyone drawn to Prague's Baroque architecture and the history of the city's aristocratic residences, especially since most visitors pass right by it on the way up to the castle anyway.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is Lažanský Palace located? At Sněmovní 175/5 in Prague's Malá Strana district, next to the Chamber of Deputies building and a short walk from Prague Castle.

Where does the palace's name come from? From the Lažanský family — specifically Jan Karel Lažanský, who bought the building in 1899. Earlier owners included the Wallensteins, the Černín family, and the judge Jan Hennet.

Can you visit the inside of the palace? No — the building is privately owned and used as offices and apartments, so its interiors are not open to the public.

Who lived there in more recent times? Czech writer and screenwriter Jiří Brdečka lived in the palace from 1962 to 1982.

Is there anything else worth seeing nearby? Yes — the palace sits right next to the Chamber of Deputies and is a short walk from both Charles Bridge and the castle hill, making it easy to combine with a broader tour of Malá Strana.