Vrtbovský palác, Baroque palace in Malá Strana, Prague, Czech Republic

Vrtbovský palác is a neoclassical palace in Malá Strana created by merging two Renaissance structures. The building features a four-armed staircase and multiple decorated courtyards that form part of its intricate architectural design.

The palace grew from two Renaissance houses: the southern one from 1575, the northern one built in 1591 by Ulrico Aostalli de Sala. Sezima Jan z Vrtby joined them in 1627–1631 into a late-Renaissance palace. Around 1720 Jan Josef z Vrtby had it rebuilt in Baroque style to plans by František Maxmilián Kaňka, and in 1800 Josef Zobel gave it its Neoclassical form.

The sandstone sculptures in the courtyard and garden were carved by Matthias Bernard Braun and his workshop. The Atlas bearing a celestial sphere was replaced by a copy; the original is kept in the Lapidarium of the National Museum. The garden loggia hosts classical music concerts today.

The palace is located on Karmelitská Street 25 and currently contains offices and private apartments while preserving its historical structure and gardens. Access may be limited since the building remains in private use.

Beneath its Renaissance and neoclassical layers lie remains of Gothic foundations, revealing how different building periods were layered upon each other. These hidden structures tell a longer story of the site beyond its visible architecture.