The exhibition will present two Plečnik buildings in Prague and Vienna

Prague - This year marks the 60th anniversary of the death of Slovenian architect Josip Plečnik, who significantly influenced the appearance of Prague Castle, with an exhibition at the Austrian Cultural Forum. In addition to his native Ljubljana and Prague, his famous buildings are also part of Vienna. The spaces at Jungmann Square will therefore present two buildings that are also part of the exhibition's title - the Prague Castle and the Zacherl House. It will run until August 18.

Based on his experiences with Art Nouveau and modern Expressionism, the architect created a specific personal style. He arrived in Prague in 1911 and initially worked there as an educator. Later, he accepted an offer from President Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk and became the architect of Prague Castle. He also participated in the renovations of the presidential residence in Lány. He significantly contributed to the appearance of the Czech capital with his church, which is the dominant feature of Vinohrady. It is considered the most significant sacred building of the 20th century in the Czech Republic.

According to Masaryk's plan, Plečnik was to transform Prague Castle into the center of the young republic and make it accessible to the public. Even to those who just walk past the Castle, Plečnik's modifications to the gardens or the monolith made of mrákotín granite in the third courtyard are visible. Plečnik also modified the façade of the Spanish Hall, and during these renovations, the Columned Hall was created, a ceremonial entrance area with a staircase leading to the northern wing of the Castle, particularly to the Spanish Hall.

The Czech Republic would like to expand its entries on the UNESCO list with Plečnik's building - however, it is not Prague Castle, but the Vinohrady Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. It is part of an international nomination and, alongside the Prague church, includes six monuments in Slovenia.

The so-called Zacherl House, commissioned by industrialist Johann Evangelist Zacherl between 1903 and 1905, is now one of the most significant monument-protected buildings in Vienna. Originally constructed as a residential and commercial building, it now houses office and retail spaces. The land was located in the very center of Vienna, not far from St. Stephen's Cathedral, and upon its completion, it became the first truly modern building in the city center.

The façade was unusually smooth for the time, devoid of excessive decoration. The only ornamentation consists of half-cylindrical stone strips covering the joints of the granite slabs. Plečnik's departure to Prague in 1910 marked the end of his Viennese period, but the Zacherls called him back in 1912 to modify their family tomb in the district of Döbling.