The House at the Minute — Attraction in Prague

One of the most iconic houses of the Old Town Square is in the late Late Gothic style from the beginning of the 15th century, later was modified in Renaissance style after 1564. At the end of the 16th century, the two-storey house was increased by a low third floor completed by a massive lunette ledge. In the late Baroque, windows placement was changed several times. The house is a typical example of Bohemian bourgeois renaissance architecture. The façade is decorated with sgraffito-inspired scenes inspired by Biblical and mythological scenes, as well as the themes of contemporary Renaissance legends. Before 1712, the house belonged to Matěj Bartl, who had a pharmacy here. At that time the house was named "By the White Lion". As a house sign there used to be here since the end of the 18th century. A classicist stone statue of a white lion adorns the corner of the house to this day.

A impressive Renaissance Sgraffito was discovered at the house´s walls only in 1919 when it was repaired. Their wealth was surprising because the house was of no significance at that time, nor did the important people live in it. Figural and ornamental sgraffito was created in two stages, the first part before the end of the 16th century and the second in the years 1603 - 1610. Franz Kafka lived here with his parents between the years 1889 - 1896.

Jeden z nejikoničtějších domů Staroměstského náměstí je v jádru pozdně gotický z počátku 15. století, renesančně byl upraven po roce 1564. Koncem 16. st. přistavěli majitelé k dvoupatrovému domu nízké třetí patro ukončené mohutnou lunetovou římsou. V pozdním baroku bylo několikrát měněno umístění oken. Dům je typickou ukázkou české měšťanské renesanční architektury. Fasádu zdobí sgrafita představující výjevy inspirované biblickými a mytologickými scénami, ale i náměty současných renesančních legend. Před rokem 1712 patřil dům Matěji Bartlovi, který zde měl lékárnu. Tehdy se dům jmenoval U bílého lva. Jako domovní znamení zde bývala od konce 18. století klasicistní kamenná socha bílého lva, ta zdobí nároží domu dodnes. Pozdější název U Minuty, odvozený od slova minuciózní, tj. velmi malý - v domě se kdysi prodával tabák "nadrobno".

Na domě U Minuty byla objevena krásná renesanční sgrafita až v roce 1919 při jeho opravách. Jejich bohatost byla překvapující proto, že dům tehdy nebýval ničím významný, ani v něm nebydleli významní lidé. Figurální a ornamentální sgrafita vznikla ve dvou časových etapách, první část před koncem 16. století a druhá v letech 1603 - 1610. V letech 1889 - 1896 zde s rodiči bydlel...

The house “At the Minute” at the Prague Old Town Square is a typical Prague Renaissance house, adorned with numerous sgraffitoes. The famous writer Franz Kafka lived there with his parents at the end of the 19 th century. The house belongs to the complex of the Old Town City Hall.

Reanissance house Originally a late-Gothic house from the 15 th century, it was rebuilt in Renaissance style in the 16 th century. The house used to be called “At the White Lion” and it used to be a pharmacy. A sculpture of a white lion is still there, at the corner of the building. The present name “At the Minute” means “at the diminutive”, because of the tobacco in little pieces, that used to be sold there.

Demolishing the house “At the Minute” and some houses around was considered in the 20 th century, but fortunately they were saved and later the Renaissance sgraffitoes from 17 th century were discovered there in 1919.

Sgraffito decoration The sgraffitoes depict Habsburg rulers Philip II. of Spain, Rudolph II., Maxmilian II. and some others. Several typical Renaissance themes can be seen in the sgraffitoes: for example, three sons fighting for the heritage of their father.

Inside the house “At the Minute”, there are some fragments of the original wall paintings and stucco decorations on the walls. Also painted Renaissance ceilings were discovered there.

Franz Kafka in the House at the Minute The writer Franz Kafka lived in the house with his family from 1889 to 1896. His three sisters Elli, Valli and Ottla were born there.

The house “At the Minute” was connected with the neighbouring Pecoldovsky house and house “At the Cockerel” and it was added to the Prague Old Town City...

The House at the Minute at number 3 (Dům U Minuty) is undoubtedly one of the most dazzling houses you will encounter on our free Prague walking tour. It was originally a late-Gothic house from the 15th century that received a Renaissance makeover in 1564. The house is famous for its numerous beautiful sgraffito etchings that were added to the facade in 1610. The white etchings on the black facade depict Habsburg rulers like Philip II of Spain, Rudolph II, and Maxmilian II, among others along with scenes from Greek mythology and references to biblical and Renaissance legends. The house has served many purposes and has had varied names. At one time it was an apothecary and called “The House at the White Lion” for the sculpture of the white lion at the corner. The house also once served as a tobacconist shop, and the current name, “House at the Minute” was taken from the word ‘minute,’ i.e., very tiny, referring to the diminutive pieces of tobacco sold there. It is also famous for being the childhood home of Franz Kafka and his family in the late...