A Journey in Prague and Beyond Through the Italian Influence

A fascinating journey through the architectural legacy of Italian masters in Czech lands, between the 16th and 18th Centuries

Slavkov u Brna Castle (1691) by Domenico MartinelliEleutheria Foundation

Discussing the impact of Italian architecture and architects in the Czech Republic also means describing the history of a migratory phenomenon that cannot be compared to any other in the History of Art.

Queen Anne Jagiellon Summer Pavilion at Prague Castle (1538) by Paolo della StellaEleutheria Foundation

Summer Pavilion of Queen Anna Jagiello

What is surprising, however, is the remarkable scale of the phenomenon, which paints a particularly rich picture not only in Prague but also in the less urbanized areas of Czech territory.

While Renaissance was struggling outside the Italian peninsula, the Summer Pavilion of Queen Anna Jagiello was built in Prague's Castle gardens in 1538, marking a significant achievement at the beginning of the 16th century.

The creator, Paolo della Stella from Ticino, had been in the Bohemian capital since April 10, 1538. This true gem of early Prague Renaissance was designed as a "pavilion of pleasure or delight," intended for parties, receptions and other court celebrations. 

Litomyšl Castle (1568) by Giovanni Battista Aostalli de SalaEleutheria Foundation

Litomyšl Castle

Litomyšl Castle, located in the Pardubice region, is worth a visit. The beautiful building was commissioned by Vratislav of Pernštejn, known as the "Magnificent," starting in 1568.

The most significant feature of this building is undoubtedly the magnificent internal courtyard, with multiple orders of loggias designed by Giovanni Battista Aostalli de Sala. This type of courtyard, with its multi-storey loggias, most likely arrived in Bohemia from Germany.

Bučovice Castle (1575) by Jacopo StradaEleutheria Foundation

Bučovice Castle

This type of architecture achieved great success in Bohemia during that period, evident by the Bučovice Castle, built by Jacopo Strada starting in 1575. The castle features a wonderful internal courtyard with three floors of porticoes.

Moravský Krumlov Castle (1562) by Leonardo Garo de BisonoEleutheria Foundation

Moravský Krumlov Castle

Similar is the Moravský Krumlov Castle by Leonardo Garo da Bissono and...

Moravská Třebová Castle (1611) by Giovanni Maria FilippiEleutheria Foundation

Moravská Třebová Castle

...the Moravská Třebová Castle, constructed in 1611 by Giovanni Maria Filippi and possibly also by Giovanni Mottala de Bonanome.

Kratochvíle Castle (1583) by Baldassarre MaggiEleutheria Foundation

Kratochvíle

Another castle worth visiting on the way to Český Krumlov is Kratochvíle. Constructed by Baldassarre Maggi in 1583, it was inspired by Italian villas and reflects the imaginative dream of its patron, Vilém of Rožmberk.

A member of the Rožmberk family, responsible for the creation of the marvelous Český Krumlov Castle, traveled to Italy several times. During one of his trips to Genoa, he made a stop in Mantua where he had the opportunity to explore it in depth.

There, he had the opportunity to admire Mantegna's work at the Castle of San Giorgio, as well as the marvelous Palazzo Te, which had been constructed just a few years prior by Giulio Romano.

Kratochvíle Castle reflects many of Giulio Romano's ideas, like its symmetrical square layout and central square pool that surround the main building.

Chapel of the Blessed Virgin Mary of the Assumption into Heaven (1590) by Architetto anonimoEleutheria Foundation

Chapel of the "Congregation of Italians"

During this period, the Italian community in Prague was responsible for creating one of the most significant architectural works north of the Alps. To admire it, you must walk the entire length of Karlova Street. It is a small chapel dedicated to the Virgin Mary.

This chapel belonged to the Congregation of the Blessed Virgin Mary of the Assumption, founded in 1573 and better known as the "Congregation of Italians."

Chapel of the Blessed Virgin Mary of the Assumption into Heaven. Internal (1590) by Architetto anonimoEleutheria Foundation

The exceptional nature of the Italian Chapel lies entirely in the highly original design chosen by its unknown architect. The choice to use the oval plan, representing the symbol of creation was undoubtedly quite "modern."

The chosen typology served as a testament to Italian identity, a way for the Italian community in Prague to draw the attention of the entire city.

Valdštejn Palace (1630) by Andrea Spezza e Giovanni Battista Pieroni e Nicolò SebregondiEleutheria Foundation

Valdštejn Palace

This is Palazzo Valdštejn; one of the most important buildings of the early Czech Baroque, created by architects Giovanni Battista Pieroni, Andrea Spezza and Nicolò Sebregondi. Its garden, most likely designed by Pieroni himself,  was constructed alongside the palace (1623-1630).

It is a large loggia that opens onto the front garden, serving as a space of mediation between the building's interior and its stunning exterior.

The large loggia of the Sala Terrena derives from the portico in front of the Cathedral of Livorno, designed by Bernardo Buontalenti starting in 1594 and continued by Alessandro Pieroni, an architect and painter of the Medici family.

Černín Palace (1668) by Francesco CarattiEleutheria Foundation

Černín Palace

Palazzo Černín is located in the Malá Strana district. It was constructed in 1668 and was based on a design by Francesco Caratti, who was born in Bissone, in what is now Canton of Ticino, like the more famous Francesco Borromini.

The imposing façade is almost 150 meters long, and is distinguished by thirty colossal columns. Some historians suggest that Caratti's project may have been directly influenced by some of Bernini's drawings, which Count Humprecht Jan Černín brought directly from Rome.

Šternberk Palace (1699) by Giovanni Battista AlliprandiEleutheria Foundation

Šternberk Palace

Another notable Italian architect in Prague was Giovanni Battista Alliprandi. One of Alliprandi's early works, almost certainly designed by him, is the Šternberk Palace (1699 - 1708), which now houses the National Gallery.

Šternberk Palace (1699) by Giovanni Battista AlliprandiEleutheria Foundation

Černín Palace

Above all, the façade facing the rear garden, with its protruding elliptical profile of the central section, closely resembles the initial version of Bernini's design for the Louvre palace.

Lobkowitz Palace (1702) by Giovanni Battista AlliprandiEleutheria Foundation

Lobkowitz Palace

This fascination with Bernini is even more evident in another palace designed by Alliprandi for a prominent Bohemian family: Palazzo Lobkowitz.

Similar to the Šternberk Palace, the main façade of the Lobkowitz Palace also faces the rear garden. It features an elliptical central section that extends outward from two concave wings with large recesses.

Credits: Story

The texts were taken from the book Gli Italiani nelle terre boeme (2024), chapter "Italian architects in the Czech lands from the 16th to the 18th century" by Ottaviano Maria Razetto and rewritten for Google Arts & Culture by Flavio Mela and Theodora Topali.

Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.
Home
Discover
Play
Nearby
Favorites