Dům U Rytířů, Renaissance house in Litomyšl-Město, Czech Republic

Dům U Rytířů is a two-story Renaissance house in Litomyšl with a decorative facade featuring geometric patterns and detailed stonework. The exterior displays fine craftsmanship typical of the period, with carved elements that cover much of the wall surface.

The house took its Renaissance form after the fire of 1540, rebuilt probably by the stonemason Blažek and finished around 1546. In 1814 its tall Renaissance gable was replaced by an Empire attic. It was declared a cultural monument in 1958 and restored in 1962 and 2000.

The house takes its name from the two knight figures carved on the facade, alongside two men holding a book and a purse. Since 2004 it has housed the Municipal Gallery Litomyšl, which holds short-term art exhibitions in the former Josef Matička exhibition hall.

The building stands directly on the town square and can be viewed from the street, allowing you to see the facade from various angles. The best time for viewing is in morning or late afternoon light, when the carved details become more visible.

The facade is built of stone blocks, not sgraffito. Two of the carved figures embrace columns: one holds a book, the other a money bag. The meaning of the figures has never been fully explained, and study shows at least two stonemasons worked on the reliefs.