Petráš palace

Petrášův palác (Petráš Palace) is a Baroque-Renaissance palace building in the historic centre of Olomouc, standing on Horní náměstí (Upper Square) right across from the UNESCO-listed Holy Trinity Column.

Where exactly is the palace located?

The building occupies one of the most prominent spots in the old town, on the main square just steps from Olomouc's most famous landmark. Walking across Horní náměstí, it's hard to miss: a richly decorated entrance portal and openwork entablature over the windows set the façade apart from the surrounding burgher houses.

Where does the name come from, and what's the building's history?

The site's history goes back to the 13th century — archaeological research has traced the building's medieval roots, and at the start of the 16th century two Gothic burgher houses were joined into a single structure. In 1576 the property was bought by Jan Bítovský z Bítova, who began converting it into a noble residence.

The palace's name, though, comes from a later owner. In 1725 the house was purchased by Anna Marie Petrášová, widow of an imperial general, and it was she who commissioned the extensive Baroque reconstruction carried out between 1725 and 1734 — the work that gave the palace its current, stately appearance.

The building also has a place in the history of science: it was here, in 1746, that Josef Petráš, a graduate of Olomouc University, founded the Societas incognitorum, the first learned society in the Habsburg monarchy.

What can visitors actually see there?

Despite the Baroque makeover, the palace kept traces of earlier centuries. Its small inner courtyard still has Renaissance arcades dating from the second half of the 16th century — a striking contrast with the grand, almost château-style staircase added during the 18th-century works. The façade carries the entrance portal flanked by atlantes supporting the entablature, while the interiors feature valuable neo-Rococo decoration.

The building has been protected as a cultural monument since 1958, and since 2000 it has housed the Olomouc territorial office of the National Heritage Institute (NPÚ) — the very institution responsible for preserving the region's historic buildings.

When can you actually go inside?

Since the palace functions as an office building day to day, it isn't regularly open to visitors. The main chance to see its interiors comes during the Days of European Heritage (Dny evropského dědictví), usually held in September, when guided tours open up rooms otherwise off-limits to the public. It's worth checking the event's current programme before planning a visit, since the palace opens irregularly — sometimes after a gap of several years.

The palace has also served as a film set, including for productions by Czech director Jan Hřebejk, which only underscores how photogenic its interiors are.

Frequently asked questions

Is Petrášův palác open to tourists every day? No — it's an office building on a daily basis, primarily housing the local heritage preservation office, so the interiors are accessible mainly during occasional events like the Days of European Heritage.

Why is the palace called "Petrášův"? After Anna Marie Petrášová, the owner who commissioned the Baroque reconstruction of 1725–1734, and Josef Petráš, founder of the first learned society in the Habsburg monarchy, which was based in this building.

What's the oldest surviving part of the building? The Renaissance arcades in the inner courtyard, dating from the second half of the 16th century, along with Gothic foundations traced back to the 13th century.

What's nearby worth seeing? The UNESCO-listed Holy Trinity Column stands directly across the square, and the rest of Horní náměstí — including the town hall and its fountains — is within a few minutes' walk.