Five Czech government villas and palaces will open to the public for free tours, starting this weekend

The first open day will take place on Saturday, July 4, when the Kramář Villa (Kramářova vila) will be opened to the public. It will also be possible to visit it on the national holiday on July 5, which is St Cyril and Methodius Day. The neo-Baroque style Kramář Villa, located at the edges of Letná has and 56 rooms. It was built between 1911 and ’14 was built for Karel Kramář, who would later be the first Czechoslovak prime minister. Since 1998, the villa has been the official residence of the Czech prime minister.

On Jan Hus Day, July 6, it will also be possible to see one of the oldest buildings in Prague’s Hradčany area. Hrzán Palace (Hrzánský palác) serves as an alternative seat of the Czech government, and is associated with important personalities of Czech history. It was home to 14th century builder Petr Parléř, who worked on Prague Castle and Charles Bridge. In the 20th century, first Czechoslovak President Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk resided there in 1894–96. Artists Ferdinand Engelmüller and Jan Slavíček painted landscapes from the balcony.

Liechtenstein Palace (Lichtenštejnský palác) on Kampa island joins in the rotation on July 25. Fans of the 1996 film Mission Impossible will recognize the exterior as the film’s US Embassy. But the palace interior was not in the film — those scenes were shot at the stairway of the National Museum.

Schedule

July
July 4 – Kramářova vila
July 5 – Kramářova vila
July 6 – Hrzánský palác
July 11 – Hrzánský palác
July 18 – Kramářova vila
July 25 – Lichtenštejnský palác

August
August 1– Hrzánský palác
August 8, – Kramářova vila
August 15 – Lichtenštejnský palác
August 22 – Hrzánský palác
August 29 – Kramářova vila

September
September 5–6 – Strakova akademie and Lichtenštejnský palác
September 4–6 – Benešova vila
September 12–13 – Benešova vila
September 19–20 – Benešova vila
September 26–27 – Benešova vila
September 28 – Strakova akademie

October
October 2–4 – Benešova vila
October 5 – Kramářova vila
October 10,–11– Benešova vila
October 17–18 – Benešova vila
October 24–25 – Benešova vila
October 28 – Lichtenštejnský palác

November
November 17 – Hrzánský palác and Lichtenštejnský palác