Centre for Centrale European architecture proposes specialised guided tours over modern architecture in Prague.
Chose one of the proposed guided tours
or we can prepare an itinerary based on your needs.
Price depends on lenght of the tour and size of the group.
Language : english or czech
Please, contact Yvette Vašourková, vasourkova@ccea.cz, +420 222 222 521
● The Passages of Prague
lenght : 3 hours / means of transport : by foot
The passages, passageways and underpasses of Prague but also other loopholes in the city street network are worth of our attention and entice visitors to explore further. In the past the passages were important centers of cultural life. They have been a front space, an entrance hall to the variety of activities hidden inside the surrounding buildings. They are part of the luxurious, grandiose palaces that boomed in the 1920s and 1930s. The passages worth mentioning indeed include the one in the Lucerna Palace, or the passage in the Crown, Světozor, and more. We cannot forget that the tradition of passages in Prague goes right back to the 14th century.
● Significant Post-War Constructions in Downtown Prague
lenght : 3 hours / means of transport : by foot
Political events of the period before the year 1989 have had a significant impact on today's image of the city. The period of censorship and appeasement was uncompromising even in its relationship to the role of the architect. In spite of the negative environment and very tense atmosphere, in which generations of our grandfathers and parents were raised, significant architectural works were constructed. Let us mention, for example, the Hotel Jalta at Wenceslas Square (Antonin Tenzer) representing the period of socialist realism, or architectural experiments of the 1960s and 1970s covered by the seat of the Federal Assembly (Charles Prager), or the departement store Kotva (Vera and Vladimir Machonin).
● Reconversion
lenght : 4 hours / means of transport : by foot + public transport
Similarly to new development, conversion of existing buildings and their subordination to new needs is vital for Prague, too. Thus new forms of employing buildings of historical and industrial heritage arise. In most cases it involves industrial production plants (Corso Karlin), boiler plants (Claudio Silvestrin), breweries (Holešovice/ Arena A7), sewage works (Bubenec/ Eco Museum), transformer stations (Edison substations / Labus), etc. But also ecclesiastical buildings - churches (Prague Crossroads) - get redeveloped for housing, office, commercial or cultural purposes. Such premises are imbued with irreplaceable atmosphere and genius loci. When combined with top quality conversion, unique works are created.
● Urban Complexes of the 20th Century
lenght : 5 hours / means of transport : by bus
Until the second half of the 19th century, the city of Prague sufficed with the urban structure defined in the 14th century by Charles IV. Thanks to the technological invention and growing population of the time it was necessary to build and develop again. New neighborhoods were created, residential and build-up areas thickened. Political, social and economic conditions were reflected in construction, too. The Baba Colony in Dejvice dating to the 1920s is one of the examples of rational design. At the beginning of 20th century concepts of big cities were applied, too. In Prague there is only one example – Dejvice by Antonin Engle.
After World War II., the idea of collectivization was applied in construction too which corresponded with the ideals of the communist party that had come to power. It resulted in the unique, prefabricated housing, unique not only in the Czech Republic but throughout Eastern Europe, too. Despite some negative impacts and largely technical imperfections of these gray apartment blocks, there are also housing estates (Ladvi, Dablice) which are rationally coherent, applying the principles of urban planning, including also other facilities - cultural, educational etc.
After the revolution, larger housing units were introduced. We should not forget to mention the complex of Central Park in Prague-Žižkov (A69). The residential project close to the center of Prague offers luxurious accommodation with exceptionally high standards. Its architects were awarded the Grand Prix 2010 in the new building category.
● Prague Castle – Modern Times Metamorphoses
lenght : 2 hours / means of transport : by foot
The Prague Castle is an architectural dominant of the city, an outstanding conglomerate of historical and architectural layers reflecting ten centuries of architectural and political development in which these layers originated. In this sense the Prague Castle represents a mirror of political changes. The lecture follows not only recent separate architectonical actions, but examines the change of the Prague Castle architecture as a complex. In 20th century the castle has served many different purposes and many times changed its political image and reception. The best architects only worked here who were, on the other hand, loyal to the political power. Strong presidents like Tomas Garrique Masaryk (1920s and 1930s) or Vaclav Havel (1990s) initiated vast architectonical actions (Renovation of Jelení příkop or Orangery), but there are less qualitative and less known parts from the communist times.
● New Smichov – Revitalization of the Prague District of Smichov Core
lenght : 2 hours / means of transport : by foot
Architectonical activity that changed crucially the image of the former industrial part of the district of Smíchov in 1990s is an example of a positive urban conception outcome. The „dead“ industrial part was recovered and new life introduced in there. However, Smíchov represents and example of a by-day-occupied district with shopping centers, hotels, multiplex and administrative centers which people leave for the night. So its functional life is a question. This modern district is evaluated as a good example of political interference in development interests. As a result of this cooperation there is a very functionally-designed shopping center working as an organism and revitalizing old passages. The lecture starts with the Golden Angel (Jean Nouvel) which is, after The Dancing House (Milunić – Gehry), the second most significant administrative building in the city center. This lecture follows renovated public spaces (studio D3A), a reconstruction of the Nový Smíchov Synagogue (studio Znamení čtyř) and examples of using the Vltava quay as a place for buildings (Rowing club).