Martinic Palace

You may have noticed that Prague is a city full of palaces. It’s like the most important and wealthiest citizens all agreed to settle in Prague, and everyone wanted to have the most beautiful property in the neighbourhood. This means that there was a LOT of competition. While some chose vibrant colours to stand out, others relied on sheer size to show their power. The Martinic Palace, standing before you, is a unique example. It may seem rather unremarkable at first, but look out for its subtle charming details. Half of the façade showcases a distinct artistic technique known as “sgraffito,” where patterns appear to have been etched into the plaster. Dating back to the mid-16th century, this little masterpiece was the residence of Jaroslav Bořita Martinic, a representative of the emperor. This powerful man left his mark on the city’s history by becoming the second person to be defenestrated in Prague. Depending on where you are in your tour, you may already know enough about defenestration. If not, be patient and you’ll find out soon enough.