Špalíček, Medieval building complex in Cheb, Czech Republic.
Špalíček is a complex of eleven separate buildings connected by a narrow passage and forming a unified ensemble on Cheb's central marketplace. The structures stack vertically to use limited space efficiently, with tight passageways between the houses reflecting medieval urban design.
The complex emerged in the 13th century when city planners began building vertically to solve the space shortage in medieval towns. This stacked construction became the standard solution for crowded market centers and shaped Cheb's development across several centuries.
The structures display German-language and Bohemian building styles side by side, as this border region was shaped by both cultures for centuries. Visitors see this mixing of architectural traditions still reflected in the facades and layouts today.
The complex sits directly on the marketplace in central Cheb and is easy to reach on foot. Visitors can walk through the narrow alleys between the buildings to explore the structure from inside, and find many restaurants and shops all around.
The alleys between the buildings are so narrow that in some spots sunlight barely reaches through, giving the architecture an almost uninhabited feel. This tightness was intentional, designed to maximize living space and protect the structures from weather.
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