The House at the Black Madonna

Sometimes, you can stumble upon a great landmark right at a street corner. However, don’t try searching for perfection in the smallest details. The true wonder here is big, brown, and with many windows. Yes, you guessed it right: this is the House at the Black Madonna —the kind you may pass by without looking twice. Whereas, in fact, it deserves a bit of your time!  Built between 1911 and 1912, it’s considered a key building of Czech Cubism, with a style standing out from the Baroque buildings in Prague’s Old Town. On the first floor, you’ll find the Grand Café Orient, open since the building’s inauguration. It is the only Cubist café in the world, making it one of a kind. Thankfully, it has kept its charm as it was renovated in the 1990s. And how is this related to the Black Madonna herself? Facing the building, look up to the right-hand corner. You’ll spot a small statue of the Virgin behind a gilded grille. Installed here in 1912, it’s this figure which gave the building its name. Fully Cubist, the House at the Black Madonna is also home to a permanent exhibition about Czech Cubism, organised by Prague’s Museum of Decorative Arts. Don’t hesitate to take a look inside!