Storch House, Cultural monument at entrance of Celetná Street, Old Town of Prague, Czech Republic.
Storch House is a four-story building at the entrance of Celetná Street in Prague's Old Town featuring a neo-Renaissance facade with detailed frescoes. The ornate exterior displays the inscription 'Praga Caput Regni' and serves today as a private establishment with a Thai massage service at street level.
The building originated as a medieval Gothic structure that publisher Alexander Štorch thoroughly renovated between 1896 and 1897. During this restoration work, craftsmen unexpectedly uncovered a hidden Gothic chapel inside with a ceremonial sword, revealing a forgotten layer of the building's past.
The facade displays paintings of Saint Wenceslas on horseback created by the Czech artist Mikoláš Aleš, reflecting the nation's spiritual identity. The Three Magi depicted alongside represent the connection between Old Town and religious traditions valued by residents and visitors.
The building sits at Staroměstské náměstí 552/16, directly on the Old Town Square and easily walkable from any of the surrounding streets. Early morning or late afternoon visits offer the best experience when crowds are thinner on this busy public square.
Workers uncovered a hidden Gothic chapel during the 1890s renovation that had been sealed away for centuries. Inside lay an ancient table with a ceremonial sword carefully preserved as a reminder of the building's medieval religious past.
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