Pictures from a walk through Hanspaulka, Prague 6

Our walk began on the hill near our university, at the little church of St Matthias, whose foundations were laid here in the 15th century. At that time, the area was already inhabited by farmsteads and the hillside was planted with vines.

In the inter-war period of the 20th century, a residential area was built here, with villas designed in the new architectural style of Functionalism. Important architects of the time were involved in the designs and the owners of the villas were people from the upper classes of society.

We walked to a beautiful viewpoint at the ruins of Baba, where there used to be a house where the harvested grapes were pressed. From here we enjoyed a beautiful view of the Vltava River and Císařský ostrov, where the new Prague sewage treatment plant is located. On the other bank of the Vltava we observed the animal enclosures of the Prague Zoo. We also had a beautiful view of St. Vitus Cathedral at Prague Castle and the city skyline.

Our guide Mr. Martin Bělohradský told us many interesting facts about this place and its history.