Klein Palace

This site, now known as Klein Palace, where a medieval house once stood, was referred to in the 14th century by the somewhat mysterious name “Lugek”, later also as “Lobeck” or “Lob Eck”. It marked the corner of what is today náměstí Svobody, Panská Street and Masarykova Street.

The three-storey Neo-Renaissance townhouse was built on the site of the original house in 1847–48 by the Klein brothers, to a design by the Viennese architect Ludwig von Förster, who collaborated on the project with Franz Klein and the architect Theophil Hansen. At the owners’ request, cast-iron decorative elements were incorporated into the main façade – a set of four bay windows supported by ornate brackets in the form of mythological figures, complemented by figures of ironworkers dressed in classical attire.

After 1946, the building came under state administration, gradually fell into disrepair and was largely forgotten. It suffered from poor maintenance, an attic fire, water ingress, and, above all, unsuitable use. In 1996–97, the first phase of restoration of the historic ceiling paintings was carried out.

The terraced building, with an irregular square ground plan defined by its plot, consists of four single-tract wings arranged around a small rectangular courtyard. The façade is dominated by prominent bay windows. The front part of the building was intended for residential and representative purposes, with the ground floor reserved for retail. The rear section housed more utilitarian service and office spaces. Beneath the building were stables, covered with flat brick segment vaults.

In 1994, the building was taken over by a new tenant, Crédit Lyonnais Bank, which carried out a major renovation and sought to reintegrate the palace into the life of the city. Today, among other uses, it is home to the Jiří Mahen Library, whose staff will introduce you to both the history and the present-day life of the palace.