Vinohrady

Situated in Vinohrady Saloun's Villa is the former art studio of Czech sculptor Ladislav Saloun (1870-1946), a leading figure of Czech Art Nouveau symbolism and creator of the famous, evocative Jan Hus memorial in Old Town Square.

Started in 1908 and finished in 1911 this gorgeous Art Nouveau villa was built in order to house the Jan Hus statue after Saloun's Hus project won the competition to build the statue for Old Town Square. His first studio, located around Wenceslas Square was simply too small for the proposed Hus. Besides being aesthetically pleasing and an Art Nouveau gem, the villa became a popular meeting point for Czech artists of the day including fellow sculptor Frantisek Bilek, the poet Otokar Brezina, painter Alfons Mucha, singer Ema Destinova, the composer and conductor Jan Kubelik and the print maker and writer Josef Vachal. It is interesting to note that in memoirs published by Josef Vachal there is mention of occult séances that took place in the villa cellar. In 1958 the villa became a cultural monument only to fall into disrepair in the years after. A complete renovation started in 2006 and was finished only a year later. Saloun's Villa is closed to the general public – however the overall facade is definitely worth a look.  

Photos: Dolce Vita