Off Topic - Recommendations for Prague and Dresden

pharding · Post by **pharding** » Thu Jan 14, 2010 10:18 pm

This summer Cheryl and I will be touring Prague and Dresden. We will have a car and we will be staying in Prague at the Maximilian Hotel by a really fine London based Czech architect, Eva Juernica. It is a wonderful rehabilitation project and it is realtively cheap in light of its quality and location. I am in research mode right now and this is always half the fun of any trip. I would appreciate any suggestions for outstanding sites to visit, but especially cool modern buildings.

guanche · Post by **guanche** » Fri Jan 15, 2010 2:14 am

praga and dresde are wonderful cities... i love them

but i think to alternate modern buildings in historic european downtowns is a terrible mistake

we have a lot of that faults in all the continent, from spain to germany... portugal and italy are cases that i see different

itÂ´s a "polemica" that in europe has not a resolution... "pure" historic downtowns or "modern buildings" close to a roman theatre, novecento house or reinancensse cathedral ???

i really prefer not to mix...

Wrighter · Post by **Wrighter** » Fri Jan 15, 2010 10:31 am

I'm envious Paul--I was in Prague in January a few years ago--I've never been so cold in my life, but the city was beautiful--when I could stop shivering long enough to get a good look at it.

We were there just a couple of days, so my suggestions are only the most prosaic, and likely already on your list:

--the art-nouveau Municipal House is worth the visit. If you eat in the basement restaurant, though, be mindful that the only credit card they accept is Diners Club--we learned that the hard way.
--Also Ghery's Dancing Building is on the banks of the Vltava River, not overly far from the Charles Bridge, if I remember correctly. Signs on the doors were pretty adamant about the building being private property, though I think there might be an eatery on the ground level. The lobby appeared to be little more than a corridor leading to the elevators.

--have a great trip!

Roderick Grant · Post by **Roderick Grant** » Fri Jan 15, 2010 3:35 pm

Taschen published a book "Villas in Dresden" in 1991. At the back of the book is a map of the city. I bought it remaindered, so it may not be easy to find.

Reidy · Post by **Reidy** » Sun Jan 17, 2010 5:24 pm

I believe van der Rohe's Tugendhat house in Czechoslovakia is publicly accessib.e

Unbrook · Post by **Unbrook** » Mon Jan 18, 2010 7:07 pm

I would second a visit to Brno to visit the Tugendhat House (designed by Mies Van der Rohe) and hope for a detailed report. I have heard that it is in bad condition and also have heard that it was undergoing renovation. It is a seminal work of contemporary architecture and needs to be preserved. I would be interested in a comparison to the work of Mr. Wright. Years ago, I was touring from Vienna to Budapest and made inquiries to visit. The tourist agency of the then current government replied that they had never heard of the place as it was a German name.
Brno, is in the Czech Republic, is probably a bit of a drive, but well worth the pilgrimage.

I also think a trip to Dessau and the Gropius designed Bauhaus building
would be in order.

I also would suggest the Baroque buildings in the area. I visited the Charlottenburg Palace in Berlin and will never forget the experience. I have read a book which told of the building in Dresden, built for the porcelain collection of the king, and would put that on my list.

Most of all--have a great time.

pharding · Post by **pharding** » Mon Jan 18, 2010 9:47 pm

Those are great ideas. Unfortunately for me, the Tugendhat House is closed for restoration starting January 1, 2010. That doesn't mean I won't be able to tour the house, it will just take more effort to do so. Here is the web site: http://www.tugendhat-villa.cz/html.en/

We will definitely tour the Bauhaus in Dessau. It is great on many counts.

We will be staying at the Maximilian Hotel designed by Eva Jiricna Architects. http://www.ejal.com/ She is a wonderful architect. I am going to see a library that she did at Thomas Bata University.

I will probably go see the Frank Gehry building if time permits. Since I am not a big fan of Frank Gehry, if a better opportunity arises I may take a pass.

European workmanship is always great to see. European construction trades are extremely professional.

Unbrook · Post by **Unbrook** » Tue Jan 19, 2010 9:20 am

Don't write off Gehry. I think he succeeds best when his buildings are surrounded by older architecture. We have a Gehry building in Cleveland and I think the best views are seen in context with the surrounding buildings. Do anything you can to see the Tugendhat House. Even under restoration it must be a glorious space! I suspected that something was being done to it, but had no reference of time frames. But you must give a full report!