Palác Turbů in Prague

Palác Turbů (Turba Palace) is a Rococo palace in Prague's Lesser Town, standing on Maltézské náměstí. It also carries two older names, U Černého gryfa (At the Black Griffin) and U Tří stříbrných hvězd (At the Three Silver Stars). For nearly a century the building has housed the Embassy of Japan, making it one of the few Prague palaces still used for diplomatic rather than museum or commercial purposes.

Where does the palace's name come from?

The building takes its name from the Turba family, who owned the house in the 18th century. Before that, it was identified by the decorative house signs common in old Prague, referencing a black griffin and three silver stars. Named house signs like these were the standard way Praguers located buildings in the city before street numbering was introduced.

How has the building changed over the centuries?

The site originally held a Renaissance-era townhouse. Around the turn of the 17th and 18th centuries it was rebuilt in Baroque style. Its real transformation, though, followed a fire in 1765 that badly damaged the structure. The reconstruction that followed, carried out in 1767–1768 to a design by architect Josef Jäger for owner František Xaver Turba, gave the palace the Rococo form it retains today, including the facade and interior layout still visible now.

What stands out about the palace's architecture?

Palác Turbů is a three-story masonry building topped with a mansard roof. Its street-facing facade is considered one of the finest Rococo achievements in Prague, richly decorated yet balanced in proportion. The interiors were reworked again in the early 1930s, when the building was adapted for its diplomatic role; that renovation was carried out by architect Rudolf Eisler together with builder B. Brata.

What is the palace used for today?

After Czechoslovakia gained independence, the building's use changed. In 1923 it was first adapted to serve as the Mexican legation. A year later, in 1924, the Japanese legation moved in, and the palace has served as a Japanese diplomatic seat ever since. Given its architectural and historical value, the building is listed as a protected cultural monument.

Where exactly is the palace, and how do you get there?

Palác Turbů sits in the Lesser Town, right on Maltézské náměstí, one of the quieter squares in the district, surrounded by other historic town palaces. Its location makes it easy to include on a walk through the Lesser Town, whether heading toward Kampa Island or the Church of Our Lady Victorious.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Palác Turbů located? It stands in Prague's Lesser Town, on Maltézské náměstí.

Who designed the palace's current appearance? The 1767–1768 Rococo reconstruction was designed by architect Josef Jäger.

Why was the palace rebuilt in the 18th century? A fire in 1765 seriously damaged the earlier Baroque building, prompting the reconstruction.

What is the building used for today? Since 1924 it has served as the seat of the Embassy of Japan.

Does the palace have other historical names? Yes, it was historically known as U Černého gryfa and U Tří stříbrných hvězd.

Is the palace a protected monument? Yes, it is listed as a protected cultural monument.