Bílá labuť, Functionalist department store in New Town, Prague 1, Czech Republic.
Bílá labuť is a five-story department store in modern style that stands out in Prague. The building features a massive shop window front with 180 silver-grey glass panels that spans almost 30 meters wide.
The store opened its doors in 1939 during a difficult chapter in Czech history. Over the decades, it adapted to different political systems and remained an important shopping destination.
The building was designed by architects who embraced modern ideas in the 1930s. The rounded shop windows and steel-concrete elements define the appearance of its facade today.
The store sits within walking distance of the main train station and is easy to reach. Visitors should note that opening hours vary by day, so it is wise to check ahead.
The building housed Prague's first escalator, a technical innovation for its time. It also used a pneumatic tube system that connected shop cash registers to a central cashier.
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