The western side of Hradcany Square is occupied by the magnificent Tuscan Palace, built in the Baroque style for Count Thun-Hohenstein in 1691. A few decades later, the Duchess of Tuscany buys the palace, and from now on the mansion will be called by her last name.

The palace looks quite impressive. It consists of four wings and a courtyard, as well as two turrets, giving the structure and appearance of the palace lightness and charm.

On the roof of the palace between the two towers you can see seven original sculptures depicting the liberal arts. The statues were created by Jan Brokoff, a Czech master, the author of the sculpture of John of Nepomuk on the Charles Bridge. This facade design reminds attentive travelers that this mansion is very similar to some Roman buildings. The facade is decorated with two ducal coats of arms, which perfectly complement the restrained design of the palace.

The corner of the palace is decorated with a statue of St. Michael, who was considered the patron saint of the Thun-Hohenstein family, the customers and first owners of this palace. The statue was made two years after the construction of the palace, so simply place it in the wall in the place specially reserved for this. The statue of St. Michael is a highly artistic work that you simply cannot pass by without capturing it with your camera.

Nowadays, the services of the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs are located in the palace. Important receptions are sometimes held here, serious meetings are held and government problems are resolved.

Hradcany Square, where the palace is located, is the historical center of Prague's Hradcany district. Its layout has remained unchanged since the mid-16th century. At that time, there were houses of townspeople here, most of which were destroyed by fire. In 1541, fundamental buildings of the local aristocracy appeared in their place.

The Tuscan Palace is located in the western part of Hradcany Square. The construction was conceived by Count Michael Oswald of Thun-Hohenstein. But its beginning was associated with some problems, namely a dispute with the owner of the neighboring building, Count Martinitz. Emperor Leopold helped resolve the conflict; he supported the palace construction project.

Initially, the construction was led by the Italian architect Marco Cannevale; he did not have a chance to see the results of the work; he died. In 1718, the palace was sold and Duchess Maria Anna of Tuscany became its owner. The building belonged to this family until 1918.

The Tuscan Palace is a Roman Baroque building that has become one of the most interesting and significant in Prague.

Tuscan Palace today

The monumental structure looks impressive and visually resembles Roman buildings. It consists of four wings and a courtyard. It is decorated with two towers. Between them on the roof can be seen seven original sculptures depicting the liberal arts. They are the creations of Jan Brokoff, his most famous work being the sculpture of John of Nepomuk on the Charles Bridge.

One of the statues is the figure of St. Michael, he was considered the patron saint of the first owners of this palace - the Thun-Hohenstein family. This is an incredibly interesting and highly artistic work that makes a lasting impression and emotions. On the façade there are two ducal coats of arms.

Today, the premises of the palace house the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The political life of the country is in full swing here, important meetings and receptions are held.

Address of the Tuscan Palace

Hradčanské náměstí 182/5, Prague 1

How to get to the Tuscan Palace

Since this historical and cultural building is located in the very center of Prague, you can easily get there on foot. If you are in other areas, you can get there by metro - Malostranská station or by tram number 22, stop Brusnice. You can also use other routes - 12, 20, 22, 57, 91.

Description of the attraction

The palace complex was created in the spirit of classical baroque and is in the shape of a closed symmetrical rectangle. It has 4 three-story wings that enclose the courtyard. Above the portal of the main facade there are aedicules decorated with columns with 2 coats of arms.

There are 2 towers in special niches, indicating the Roman style of the building; they add charm and lightness to the appearance of the palace. On the roof of the establishment there are 7 original sculptures (Sēptem ārtes liberāles), symbolizing the free art of the Hellenistic era. Their author is Johann Brokoff.

The corner of the building is decorated with a highly artistic work - a statue of St. Michael in a stucco frame. He was considered the patron of the first owner. The masterpiece was sculpted by a famous Czech master named Ottavio Mosto in 1693. Today, not a single tourist passes by the sculpture without taking a photo of it.

At the end of the 20th century, the Tuscan Palace was reconstructed. Pavel Kupka supervised the repair work. After completion of construction, the structure was awarded an architectural prize - GranPrix Architektu.

What's in the building today?

Currently, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic is located in the Tuscan Palace. The building often hosts various state celebrations and meetings, and important receptions are held.

Who can visit the Tuscan Palace?

The monumental Tuscan Palace is now occupied by the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs, so the average visitor will not be able to get inside. But you can admire it from the outside: lush baroque, magnificent sculptures and decorations on the facade, windows, arches, balconies - wonderful architecture!

Tuscan Palace (Toskánský palác), photo Zden Her

The Tuscan Palace (Toskánský palác) was built in the spirit of classical Roman Baroque. The balustrade on the attic of the building is decorated with statues of Sēptem ārtes liberāles - the “seven free arts” of the Hellenistic era. At the corner of the palace there is a statue of St. Michael, patron of the Thun-Hohenstein family. The facade is decorated with 2 coats of arms of the Dukes of Tuscany.

The history of the palace

In 1689, Michael Oswald Count of Thun-Hohenstein decided to build a palace in the western part of the square, instead of several 14th-century houses. There were disagreements with the owners of neighboring buildings: the new palace would cover their facades. The conflict was resolved in favor of the count by Emperor Leopold himself.

Palace in the Hradcany Square ensemble, photo by Roland Christian Richter

The palace project was developed by 1690 by Jean-Baptiste Matei, the founder of the early Prague Baroque. The work was supervised by Marc Antonio Canevalle. The figures of the “seven arts” were sculpted by Johann Brokoff. The magnificent statue of the Archangel Michael, located on the corner of the palace, according to art historians, was created by Ottavio Mosto - around 1693.

The first owner of the palace did not live to see all the work completed. The unfinished building was bought by Anna Maria Francisca, Duchess of Tuscany, in 1718. Under the new owner, the project was completed. The palace received the name and family coat of arms of the Dukes of Tuscany. In 1803-1918. The building was owned by the Habsburgs. In 1918, the Tuscan Palace was transferred to the Czech Foreign Ministry.

Architecture

The palace complex is made in the shape of a closed rectangle and consists of four three-story wings enclosing the courtyard. Two fountains are installed in the niches of the courtyard facades. Above the portals of the main facade there are aedicules framed by columns, above them, on one axis - two ducal coats of arms.

In 1996–98 reconstruction took place under the leadership of Pavel Kupka. The work was awarded the architectural prize of the year – GranPrix Architektů. Today the Tunovsky Palace still belongs to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. During normal times it is closed to tourists. Ground floor rooms are available for excursions and events by prior reservation.