At the Bell

Remarkable early Gothic house Dům U Kamenného zvonu i.e "At the Stone Bell", one of the most interesting medieval buildings in Prague but very little Gothic elements to see inside besides this is a Modern Art Gallery nowadays belonging to the City Gallery and that I don't not like this style of "art". So you'd better watch it from the outside ! Especially when you know that this early 14th house was first rebuilt in Baroque style in 1685, but ithen was decided to restore it in its original Gothic look in 1961 and opened in 1988 ! So not much authenticity in there except its beautiful frontage ... It was probably originally built for the Royal family and its frontage was one of the most beautiful in Europe at the time. You can see how imposing Prague was in the middle ages there. Building of the house started in the second half of the 13 th century. With most probability, the house “At the Stone Bell” was built for Queen Elisabeth I. of Bohemia, mother of Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV. There are no written documents about it, but there are some pieces of medieval decoration found in the house and some of them probably represent the Royal family. Other interesting pieces of sculptures, such as a head of a lion with eyes made of glass or a head of a “savage man”, were found there. There is a REPLICA of the original stone bell on the corner of the building, which gave it the name “At the Stone Bell”. It is placed there probably to remind the historical event from 1310, when the Queen Elisabeth´s parson used a bell to give a sign to the future king John of Luxembourg. It meant that he can come with his army and nonviolently occupy the Prague Old Town. The first written mention of the house “At the Stone Bell” is from 1363, when it already belonged to the Prague goldsmith Pecolda of Cheb. But there are many legends and stories about possible inhabitants. Young future Emperor Charles IV. probably lived here with his mother when he returned from his studies in France in 1333. An old Prague legend says, that St. Ludmila, mother of St. Wenceslas, used to live there. Allegedly there was a chapel in the basement, where secret divine services were held when Christians were persecuted in Bohemia.

In my experience you should really know which exhibition you are going to. Went for free by Prague Visitor Pass and, lets say... 'Did not understand exhibition at all'. Modern art is not my thing :)

Didnt really understand or enjoy the current exhibition. Some stuff looked cool, maybe the art just wasn’t for me but i expected something completely different.

I really enjoyed the exposition. Interesting experience, lots of interactive features

One of the strangest places I've ever been to in my life. To have to pay for entrance was honestly regrettable. It was the most random uninspiring art gallery I've ever been to. Please do not waste your money.