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In this episode of our Live Prague series, we take you behind the camera to Prague's greatest villas. What stories do they hide and who is behind these magnificent buildings?
The biggest villas in Prague have one thing in common - they were built by the Petschek family, who were among the richest inhabitants of pre-war Czechoslovakia. Not only did they own coal mines, but they also had their own bank. The Petschkas bought 66 hectares of land in Bubeneč, Prague, and built 13 villas. However, none of the houses belong to the family nowadays - because of their Jewish origin, all the family members had to emigrate to America in 1938. What was the fate of their grandest villas?
Friedrich Petschek villa
Where to find it: the Boris Nemsov Square
Architect: Max Spielmann
Current owner: Russian Federation
Friedrich Petschek had the villa built in 1927, and while it is impossible to know its actual size, estimates suggest it may be around 3,000 sq. ft. However, Friedrich never ended up occupying it and sold the residence to a friend. He himself opted for a more intimate residence in the nearby Bloch Villa. Today the villa belongs to Russia (which received it from Czechoslovakia after the war as a thank you for its liberation) and serves as its embassy.
Villa Marianne Gellert-Petschek
Where to find it: corner of Pellé Street
Architect: Max Spielmann
Current owner: Memorial of National Literature
Friedrich Petschek's daughter also had the villa designed by the family architect, but her father was not satisfied with the design, and the residence was never completed (for example, it is missing one wing compared to the design). After the war, the Chinese embassy was housed in the villa, but it moved next door. Today, the renovated residence houses the Memorial of National Literature and the Museum of Literature.
Villa Otto Petschek
Where to find it: Ronald Reagan street
Architect: Max Spielmann, Otto Petschek
Current owner: United States of America
A villa that has rightly been called "the last palace in Europe". Although Max Spielmann originally envisioned an austere building, Otto wanted a grand residence. Disputes eventually culminated in the architect's departure, and the owner himself took over the building. Unfortunately, he paid for it not only with all his money, but also with his health. Otto lived in the villa for only three years before his untimely death. During the war, the head of the Czech Wehrmacht lived in the residence, after the war it was possible to negotiate its sale to the United States, which still uses it today as the residence of ambassadors and representative premises for distinguished guests.
Which of Prague's largest villas do you like? And which one do you think has the most interesting story? Let us know in the comments!
0:00 The biggest villas in Prague
0:32 The Petschks: bankers and builders
1:28 Friedrich Petschek's Villa
2:29 Villa of Marianne Gellert-Petschek
3:31 Otto Petschek villa
This is not the first time we have focused on villas in Prague in our series. Do you want to know which are the most expensive or how Czech billionaires live? Take a look: • Nejdražší vily v Praze...
When you say "villa district", many Prague residents think of Ořechovka. What secrets does it hide? That's what we found out for you in one of the previous episodes: • Jak vznikla nejdražší ...
Do you want to know how the stars of the First Republic silver screen lived who built their villas in Hanspaulka? We'll tell you in the video: • Hanspaulka: Znáte tyto...
And speaking of famous celebrities - Prague hosted world celebrities in its time. Where did they live and where did they go for coffee? Find out in the video: • Slavné osobnosti v Pra...
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Daniel, Lukáš, Honza, Martina, Květa, Ruda