The Villa Districts of Prague and its Surroundings

Following the success of Pavel Švec's book Prague's Villa Districts, the author now presents a substantially expanded edition. In addition to a dozen of Prague's residential districts, he now takes us on a new journey to Roztoky, Všenory, Brunšov, Černošice, Řevnice and Jevany. Each name is a significant location on the map of valuable residential architecture.

The detailed text, complemented by maps and hundreds of photographs, is the result of his tireless research in archives and literature, but above all, on the ground. The book's systematic approach is unparalleled, making it an enlightening read even for those who have visited the mentioned districts and municipalities multiple times. During their next visit, it will help them spot architectural gems they might have previously missed.

Pavel Švec is a journalist by profession, which is why he can describe the individual buildings in a captivating and readable way. And given his original occupation – he worked as a building designer – he doesn't lack an informed insight into modern architecture. In his presentation, a wide variety of styles parade before us in Prague and its surroundings. Here and there, we are delighted by romantic, austere, and eclectic historicism, followed by Art Nouveau and the Beuron Art School, then cubism and rondo-cubism, functionalism, purism, art deco, eclectic style... and even socialist realism or successful examples of the most modern approaches.

In the vast majority of cases, the author introduces us to residential houses. He is aware that such a building has not only an architectural and technical history, but also a human one. The second major contribution of this publication can therefore be considered its perspective on the fates of the individuals behind the designs, and especially those who had the villas built and inhabited them. For the former, it is a well-deserved tribute to dozens, even hundreds, of brilliant architects who are virtually unknown to the general public. As for the personalities and families who might have once answered the door, it is often a sad read. A great credit to Pavel Švec lies in the fact that he has mapped their often tragic destinies.

Read carefully, savour the charms of the individual houses in the text and photographs – but above all, inspired and informed, set out to explore Prague's villa districts and the areas “beyond Prague”. We have no doubt that you will find plenty of tips in the book for hidden gems that you have previously overlooked or never visited. And that the reading and subsequent “field research” will enrich and delight you with the harmony of materials, lines, shapes, and colours.

The book is published with the kind permission of the news portal Aktuálně.cz from the Economia media house, where the basis of the text was originally published, and will take you to these Prague villa districts: Vinohrady/Strašnice/Podolí/Hodkovičky/Barrandov/Malvazinky/Smíchov/Ořechovka/Hanspaulka/Baba/Bubeneč/Troja.

And to these locations beyond the borders of Prague:

Roztoky/Všenory/Brunšov/Černošice/Řevnice/Jevany.