Palác Metychů z Čečova in Prague

Palác Metychů z Čečova is a historic palace in Prague's Malá Strana district, entered from Velkopřevorské náměstí square. The building blends Renaissance and Baroque layers, and its eastern facade looks directly onto the Čertovka canal. It has been listed as a cultural monument since 1964.

Where does the palace's name come from?

The name comes from Kryštof Metych z Čečova, owner of one of the four houses that were later joined to form today's palace. In 1586 he commissioned a rebuild that created the Renaissance core still visible in the structure today. In various records the palace is also referred to by the names of later owners — the Braitšvart, Alsterla and Hrzán palaces — reflecting how ownership and construction work passed from one family to the next over the following centuries.

How did ownership and the building itself change over time?

After 1617, under owner Isabela Braitšvartová, a neighbouring house on the western side was joined to the property. In 1641 the whole complex passed to Jan Alsterla z Astfeldu, who carried out further architectural changes in 1675. At the start of the 18th century, in 1702, the estate was acquired by the Hrzán family of Harasov, and it was under their ownership, around 1749, that all the separate parts were finally merged into a single, unified building. The western wing seen today isn't original, though — it was rebuilt in 1916 after the older house was demolished and replaced with a new structure that only loosely reproduces the earlier design.

What does the palace look like inside and out?

The building has an irregular two-storey layout made up of three wings enclosing a small inner courtyard. The entrance from Velkopřevorské náměstí is marked by a rusticated portal dating from around 1600 — one of the few elements to survive in close to its original form from the early rebuilding. Overall, the Renaissance shell carries later Baroque additions introduced by successive owners.

Who was born in the palace?

In 1859 the building was the birthplace of Josef Bohuslav Foerster, a noted Czech composer and music critic. A memorial plaque on the facade marks the event, making the palace a point of interest for visitors curious about Czech musical history as well as its architecture.

Where exactly is the palace, and how do you find it?

The palace stands in Malá Strana, one of Prague's oldest historic districts, with its entrance at Velkopřevorské náměstí 490/1. Its eastern side borders the Čertovka canal, one of the district's defining features, so a walk through the area combines views of historic buildings with the waterways characteristic of the city's oldest quarters.

Frequently asked questions

Where does the palace's name come from? From Kryštof Metych z Čečova, who rebuilt one of the four houses forming today's palace in 1586, giving it its Renaissance character.

Who else owned the building? Isabela Braitšvartová (after 1617), Jan Alsterla z Astfeldu (from 1641), and the Hrzán family of Harasov (from 1702), under whom the palace was finally unified around 1749.

Is the whole building original? Not entirely — the western wing was demolished and rebuilt as a replica in 1916, while the rusticated entrance portal facing the square dates from around 1600.

Who was born in the palace? Composer Josef Bohuslav Foerster in 1859; a memorial plaque on the building commemorates him.

Where exactly is the palace located? In Prague's Malá Strana district, entered from Velkopřevorské náměstí 490/1, next to the Čertovka canal.