Unearth the Treasures of Contemporary Czech Architecture
Discovering the Architectural Wonders
Mark your calendars! From October 2 to 7, 2025, Architecture Day 2025⬈ will unfold in various towns and cities throughout Czechia. As the largest architectural festival in the country, this year’s event will embrace the female viewpoint in the field of architecture, featuring approximately 450 exciting events!
Prague: The Dancing House and Kafka’s Icon
If you’re exploring Prague, don’t miss out on visiting DOX and Kunsthalle — two renowned contemporary art spaces creatively situated within former industrial sites. At DOX, you’ll also have the chance to board the Gulliver airship, an architectural spectacle on its own!
Another must-see is the iconic Dancing House, a recipient of a prestigious award from Time magazine in the U.S. While strolling along the Vltava River, particularly at Náplavka – Rašínovo embankment, you’ll stumble upon “dungeons” featuring unique large round glass doors that lead to cozy cafés, clubs, and galleries.
Additionally, don’t overlook the two fascinating structures near the National Theatre – the DRN and the Quadrio. DRN stands out as an extraordinary new palace that beautifully incorporates green spaces, high-quality public areas, and remarkable interior designs. Peeking out from behind the Quadrio shopping center, you’ll notice a giant rotating head of Franz Kafka crafted by artist David Černý.
Transforming Old Factories and Slaughterhouses into Architectural Wonders
For a glimpse of successful conversions of historical industrial sites, don’t miss Dolní Vítkovice in Ostrava. Here, you’ll spot the impressive Bolt Tower, complete with a café and a viewing platform that “floats” above the site’s former blast furnace.
Nearby, you’ll find the cylindrical multi-purpose Gong Hall, creatively established within an old gas holder. At the prestigious Expo Real trade fair held in Munich, Gong was celebrated as one of the world’s TOP 10 buildings! The hall hosts concerts and serves as one of Czechia’s key congress venues.
If you’re looking for something different, the Small World of Technology, located in a former factory hall, offers entertaining insights into technology for both children and adults. Meanwhile, modern art enthusiasts should check out the Plato Gallery in Ostrava, which resides in a repurposed slaughterhouse. This transformation combines raw architecture with art, earning numerous international accolades.
The Enchanting Grossmann Villa in Ostrava
In the northeastern part of Czechia, discover the exquisite Grossmann Villa, a true architectural gem situated in Ostrava. Many in modern media have likened it to a fairy-tale palace due to its stunning architectural features, exceptional furnishings, and magnificent garden. An impressive aspect of the Grossmann Villa is its vibrant stained-glass windows, which enhance this historical treasure.
A Distinctive Retreat in the Countryside
Set amidst picturesque scenery, the four-star Forest Resort is located in the idyllic village of Vír, right below the eponymous reservoir and just about an hour from Brno. The resort offers chic accommodations in luxuriously appointed chalets and rooms themed after the fourteen highest peaks on our planet. Nestled in beautiful countryside, the accommodation includes a recently renovated First Republic villa featuring a restaurant, expansive summer garden, and event hosting facilities.
Another impressive architectural site forms a unique backdrop for invaluable museum collections at the Pavlov Archaeological Park in South Moravia. Its underground concrete labyrinths, resembling cave corridors, combined with pale monuments that rise from the earth, illuminate the long-lost world of mammoth hunters who roamed this area thousands of years ago. This captivating blend of ancient history and modern design is truly one of a kind.
Cubism That Would Even Impress Picasso
As we commemorate the 80th anniversary of Josef Gočár’s passing, a prominent figure in 20th-century Czech architecture, the festival will shine a spotlight on his extraordinary work. You’ll have the opportunity to explore his Cubist and Functionalist legacy in Hradec Králové or Humpolec, where the Meda Villa will be accessible to the public for the first time in 2024. In Prague, festivities will take place in one of Gočár’s iconic buildings – the Cubist House at the Black Madonna – or the Academy of Fine Arts’ School of Architecture, designed by Gočár and Jan Kotěra.
Cubism is a rare phenomenon in architecture, and Czechia boasts the world’s most concentrated collection of Cubist buildings! Embark on a journey to uncover more of Gočár’s Cubist masterpieces.
For instance, the city of Pardubice is home to the stunning Cubist building of the Automatic Mills. The interiors of this complex, now housing the Gočár Gallery, have undergone renovations and received a nomination for the Czech Architecture Award 2023. The restoration of the mills’ grain silo was even more successful, making it to the finals of the Czech Architecture Award 2024.
Another gem by Gočár, the Bauer Villa, is located in Libodřice near Kolín. Alongside its unique architecture, visitors can also appreciate Cubist furniture and intricate interior design elements within the exhibition, which was officially opened to the public in the summer of 2025.
For a wellness experience intertwined with Cubist architecture, head to Lázně Bohdaneč, where you’ll discover Gočár’s historic Cubist pavilion, featuring a covered colonnade and currently serves as a peat treatment facility.
Let Modernity Shine!
Czechia prides itself on a rich history, dotted with magnificent castles and charming châteaux. Breaking the convention of their architectural sanctity often requires boldness, but the results can be truly magnificent.
One branch of the Amber Trail, traversing Europe from the Baltic to the Black Sea, continues to be watched over by Helfštýn Castle in Moravia. Its stunning transformation earned it the Czech Architecture Award. The harmonious blend of medieval stone magnificence with modern construction techniques utilizing contemporary materials is bound to captivate everyone, not just architecture enthusiasts.
A more recent example is the modern extension of the neo-Gothic Kamenice Château, situated merely a few kilometers outside Prague. This former estate of the illustrious Ringhoffer family, the founders of Europe’s largest wagon manufacturer, was enhanced a few years ago with a contemporary new structure resembling a historical orangery. The architects faced a challenging project and successfully achieved a building that tastefully meshes with its environment and preserves the site’s cultural heritage. Come see for yourself!
Helfštýn Castle, ceskacenazaarchitekturu.cz, ©BoysPlayNice
Steel Giants and a Glass House
A stunning feat of engineering, the Mariánský Bridge spanning the Elbe River was recognized as one of the 10 most beautiful structures in Europe in the late 20th century. It joins various sections of the city of Ústí nad Labem.
On the opposite side of the country, a suspension bridge recently opened in the Dolní Morava resort—a structure that achieved the status of first among similar bridges worldwide. The remarkable Sky Bridge 721, alongside the nearby Sky Walk, has become one of Czechia’s most popular attractions.
If you’re in the mood for another architectural marvel, consider visiting Nový Bor, home to a house featuring a glass façade. This site hosts LASVIT, a leading global manufacturer of glass and crystal installations, known for creating trophies for renowned events such as the Tour de France and the US Open, while also adorning the residences of celebrities like Rihanna and Justin Bieber.
Exquisite Dining in an Elegant Ambiance
Fancy a romantic evening dining in Prague? Head to the famous Ginger & Fred eatery! Situated on the 7th floor of the striking Dancing House, which offers breathtaking views of Prague Castle and Malá Strana, your meal will be an unforgettable experience!
For a remarkable architectural spectacle, visit the Miura Hotel located in the Beskydy Mountains, renowned for its iconic hotel restaurant designed as a spaceship, which hosts the family of Krychloids crafted by David Černý. The hotel also features an array of top-tier artwork from artists both local and international, including luminaries like Andy Warhol, Damien Hirst, and Petr Pastrňák.
And where should you go for wine? Look no further than the enchanting South Moravia! The list of suggestions abounds, but two standouts deserve a mention. The Znojmo Enotéka, located in the transformed technical spaces of an old brewery in the town center, features a unique self-service tasting system allowing you to sample wine by the glass. Then there’s the Lahofer Winery near Znojmo, which has garnered attention in several prestigious architectural publications worldwide.
Winner of the Czech Architecture Award 2024 in the Spa Towns
As we touch upon the Czech Architecture Award 2024, let’s reveal the winner. To witness it, you’ll need to visit a spa town, right in the heart of Czech spa tradition, Karlovy Vary. The most praised structure turned out to be the new concert hall housed in the historic Imperial Baths. Join a guided tour of this remarkable facility, allowing you to step inside the cultural hall, or simply secure a ticket⬈ for a concert featuring the Karlovy Vary Symphony Orchestra, and marvel at the imaginative design of this award-winning building, which has even been likened to a crab.
The Zaha Hadid Legacy in Prague
Another exceptional architectural accomplishment of 2024, which has garnered numerous prestigious accolades—from Best Building in Central and Eastern Europe at CEEQA to Czech Building of the Year 2024—is the Masaryčka building, envisioned by the studio of world-renowned architect Zaha Hadid. The dazzling, golden structure situated by Masaryk Railway Station was even featured in a New York Times article spotlighting top sights to see in Prague!
When Brutalism Encounters Art
A major development for 2025 is the opening of the Fairmont Golden Prague Hotel, formerly the InterContinental Hotel, a legendary emblem of Czech Brutalism and once a showcase for Czechoslovak design and art. The first five-star hotel established in former Czechoslovakia, which has previously welcomed figures like Michael Jackson and U.S. President George Bush Sr., has undergone a substantial renovation. The success of restoring the elegance of this iconic building on Pařížská Street is affirmed by its nomination for Building of the Year 2025. The architects succeeded in preserving a multitude of original artworks by notable Czech artists while introducing modern creations, including an eight-meter sculpture by the globally recognized Czech glassworks, Lasvit. You can appreciate this piece at the entrance to the accessible wellness center.
Our tip: Treat your loved one to a dining experience at one of the restaurants within the Fairmont Golden Prague Hotel. You’ll savor not just exceptional cuisine, architecture, and art but also enjoy breathtaking views of Prague.
A part of the hotel’s renovation includes a stunning glass two-story extension. Starting September 2025, you will be able to visit the new KodlContemporary gallery of modern art, showcasing the works of contemporary Czech and European artists.
