Building of Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Scientific research headquarters in Old Town, Prague, Czech Republic
The Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic is a grand neo-Renaissance building in Prague's Old Town, distinguished by its symmetrical form and ornate stone details. The broad facade displays sculpted elements above the entrance and carefully worked stonework throughout, marking it as a major center for scientific work.
Built in 1858–1862 as the headquarters of Spořitelna česká, the first Czech financial institution, founded in 1827, the building was designed by Vojtěch Ignác Ullmann and erected by builder Jan Bělský; concrete was used for the first time in Prague in its foundations. The savings bank occupied it until 1952, and in 1954 it passed to the Czechoslovak Academy of Sciences.
The facade carries two dates in its attic: MDCCCLX above the right risalit and MDCCCLXXXXVI above the left, marking the two building phases. Above the right entrance is Antonín Wildt's 1861 allegory of Bohemia receiving the people's savings, based on a drawing by Josef Mánes.
The irregular building is bounded by Národní to the south, Divadelní to the west and Krocínová to the north. A passage with stairs runs from Národní through to Divadelní toward Krocínová. Because Divadelní and Krocínová lie lower, the ground floor there corresponds to the basement level at Národní.
The facade hides two buildings: Ullmann's 1861-1863 east wing and Friedrich Schachner's 1894-1896 replica west wing. Their atticas carry different dates, MDCCCLX and MDCCCLXXXXVI, and above the right portal Antonín Wildt's 1861 allegory of Bohemia receiving the people's savings, drawn by Josef Mánes, can be spotted.
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