History

A showcase of Prague’s baroque architecture. There is no house in Prague and maybe in the world, that would carry the touch of such personalities of baroque architecture, as pension Dientzenhofer. Its history dates back to year 1627, a very important year in its existence is then 1653, a year in which an austrian city of Landl born architect Johan Georg Aichbauer married into the house. Along with him, a baroque genius loci came into the house, which over the centuries, generation by generation, in wordless agreement with the house’s inhabitants worked to create the typical atmosphere of the building and its surroundings. Indeed, it almost feels like the house itself somehow beckoned the greatest architects and builders of it’s times to come and let themselves be enchanted by his spell. How else can we explain that in the house there were born, lived and or died Jan Jiří Aichbauer, Kryštof Dientzenhofer, his son Kilián Ignác Dientzenhofer, Josef Löffler and Anton Haffenecker. All those have heard the calling and bound a part of their lives with the house in silent, but the more prolific dialogue, fruits of which we can taste until today.

Pension Dientzenhofer is a birth house of Kilián Ignác Dientzenhofer, which justly considered on of the greatest baroque architects of his times. Dientzenhofers were a famous family of builders and architects of high and late baroque of 17th and 18th century. Two of them – father Kryštof and son Kilán Ignác – became front co-creators of czech baroque. Their buildings help to create panorama of Prague and many other Czech towns and draw attention of tourists from all around the world.

Kilián Ignác Dientzenhofer (1689-1751) designed and built more than 200 buildings. He worked for church orders, especially for Benedictines, Jesuits, Czech crusaders, Augustinians, Capuchines of Hradčany, Ursulines, but also worked for secular institutions (he was court builder and senior fortress builder) and eminent aristocratic families. Most impressive about his work is his ability never to repeat itself – each and every creation of his was somehow new and original.

Diezenhofers, both father and son, were not only builders od stately churches, monasteries and palaces, but also lots of smaller building around Czech lands. All those works of art represent the pinnacle not only of Czech baroque architecture, but also baroque in general. If you decide to visit us, you will have a chance to see a lot of them, as they are located in the near vicinity of Pension Dientzenhofer.

Present times

Last reconstruction of considerably devastated house of Kilián Ignác Dientzenhofer was done by company IKA s.r.o. in the years 1991-1993, by the project of ing. arch. Stanislav Novotný. This caused the house located in protected cultural property of Prague’s Lesser side to miraculously escape the demolition, that was already set in motion. Complete reconstruction delicately perserved the house’s original baroque nature. Object was repaired and rebulit to serve as barrier-free pension and base of IKA s.r.o. company. Also, the parking spots, entrance atrium and garden with the view to Kampa park and river Čertovka were adapted, so that it can be easily used by the people with limited mobility, even those using a wheelchair. Pension’s and Ika s.r.o.’s workers are specially trained to handle the needs of such clients. Five rooms/apartments are specially equipped to meet their needs, as well as the dining facilities and common area. Pension also provides specially adapted transfers from and to the airport or bus/train station and tours with accent to barrier free sights, cultural and sports events and even trips outside of Prague. A matter of course is a service of mechanic and electric wheelchairs, renting of scooters and additional tools or devices. We also offer – in case of need – professional medical, psychological and physiotherapeutical aid.

During devastating floods in August of 2002, the house was flooded to the height of almost 3 meters. Completely flooded was the basement, engine room of hydraulic elevator and whole ground floor, including ceilings and staircase. Water reached the level of first floor, which was considerably damaged too, as well as the garden. Despite that, thanks to the modern laser based technology, it was possible to repeatedly dry the whole place, repair it and newly equip, so that in the half of October 2002, live trials were initiated. Final repairs of facade of the house was due to technical difficulties competed no sooner than during the years of 2003 and 2004. Situation after the flooding is reminded by the photography exhibition located in the hallway of the building.