Schwarzenberg Palace

Schwarzenberg Palace is a three-story Renaissance building on Hradcany Square with distinctive black and white sgraffito decorations forming geometric patterns across its exterior walls. The National Gallery uses the rooms to display paintings and artworks within its collections.

A devastating fire in 1541 destroyed medieval houses on the site, prompting Johann Popel von Lobkowicz to commission this palace, completed in 1567. The structure has defined the square's appearance and reflects the artistic values of the Renaissance era since its completion.

The palace houses a major collection of European paintings spanning the Renaissance through Baroque periods. Visitors encounter Old Masters works displayed in grand rooms that themselves reflect the artistic heritage of their era.

The building sits centrally on the square and remains easily accessible and visible from all directions. Visitors should note that interior spaces may only be fully available during specific hours.

Interior ceilings preserve original 1580 paintings depicting classical scenes from Greek mythology that remain seldom seen elsewhere. Among these are rare depictions including the Judgment of Paris and the Abduction of Helen.

Location: Hradčany

Inception: 16 century

Architectural style: Renaissance architecture

Address: Hradčanské náměstí 185/2

Website: https://ngprague.cz/budova/schwarzenbersky-palac

GPS coordinates: 50.08889,14.39694

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:40