140 years ago, architect Josip Plečnik was born

Ljubljana/Prague - Based on his experiences with Art Nouveau and modern expressionism, he created a completely specific personal style. Slovenian architect Josip Plečnik is primarily known in the Czech Republic as the architect of the modifications of Prague Castle. He was born 140 years ago, on January 23, 1872.
This apostle of architecture arrived in Prague in 1911 and initially worked here as an educator. Later, he accepted an offer from President Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk and became the chief architect of Prague Castle. He was also involved in the modifications of the summer presidential residence in Lány. He significantly contributed to the Czech metropolis with his Church of the Sacred Heart of Our Lord in Jiřího z Poděbrad Square in Vinohrady. The church, which is a dominant feature of Upper Vinohrady, is considered the most significant sacred building of the twentieth century in the territory of Bohemia.
With his projects, in which he avoided attempts at Slavic folklore, he alienated Czech nationalists, but the Masaryk family provided him with protective support. After 1930, nationalist attacks intensified, and hateful articles appeared with headlines like "foreigner destroys the sacred seat of Czech kings." After the ailing Masaryk could no longer defend him, he left his work at the Castle. It is said that he did not take any fee for it; he stated that he considered this task the greatest honor. In Ljubljana, Plečnik then built a school of architecture and significantly influenced the urban planning of the city. He died on January 7, 1957.