There was a three-story house built on the foundation of a fifteenth century building on the place where there is a house n. 224 today. (Fig. no. 1A,B). Behind the National Theatre, on the area where street Na Struze meets Masarykovo n\u00e1b\u0159e\u017e\u00ed (Masaryk\u2019s embankment) used to be a spa and a laundry with an access to the river on a wide staircase (Fig. no. 2 and 3). Together with other buildings, the spa was demolished during the sanitation of St. Adalbert\u2019s (Vojt\u011b\u0161sk\u00e1) quarter. (Fig.no.4)<\/p>\n
On the bank of the Vltava river grew new luxury residential buildings. The best architects and artists of the time took part in their creation. Thanks to that, Masarykovo n\u00e1b\u0159e\u017e\u00ed (Masaryk\u2019s embankment) is today the nicest embankment in Prague. Street Na Struze begins precisely with our corner house built according to the plans of architect Ji\u0159\u00ed Stibral by builder Franti\u0161ek Schaffler and there was the headquarters of The First Czech General Insurance Bank. (Fig. no. 5).<\/p>\n
\nThe house is a wonderful example of art nouveau architecture. It is a four\u2013story, axisymmetrical structure, decorated with many details. Sculptural decoration is the design of Ladislav \u0160aloun (the sculptor of Jan Hus statue in Old Town Square).<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n
On the top of the gable is a gilded globe made of steel and on it copper continents can be seen. The globe is decorated with sun rays and situated between man and woman copper figures. Above the gable between so called \u201eGaudi\u201c chimneys there is an iron eagle with spread wings. Stylized gargoyls with draperis and flowers are in the corners of the house (fig.no. 6A,B). Under the windows on the front facade and also on the top of the side facades are stucco sculptures of girls\u2019 faces. The entrance to the building is equipped with an amazing beautifully decorated all-metal door. (Fig.no.7). Only few original details have been preserved inside \u2013 for example art nouveau staircase railing connecting the first and second floor.<\/p>\n
After World War II the bank was nationalized and later closed. The house became a seat of the Bulgarian embassy and then later became the embassy of GDR (German democratic republic) until year 1990.<\/p>\n
In the year 1987 the building was declared a National Cultural Monument. Since 1991 the Goethe Institute has been located here. It is a cultural centre of the Federal Republic of Germany and its role is to support international cultural cooperation and education. There are classrooms, lecture halls, a library and a caf\u00e9.
\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
![\"Fig.](\"https:\/\/www.ds.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/obr-1a.png\")
<\/a><\/div>