Nerudova Street
Nerudova street (Nerudova ulice) is a picturesque street leading up to Prague Castle. In this steep street you can find many restaurants, souvenir shops, embassies, but what’s most remarkable about this street are the house signs and the people that lived in that houses. Why house signs? The house numbers were introduced in Prague in 1770. Before that the houses were recognized by their signs and Nerudova street has a vast collection of them.
Nerudova street got its name after a famous Czech poet and journalist Jan Neruda who wrote many short stories about this Prague district. By the way, Pablo Neruda’s name was delivered from the name of this writer. Jan Neruda used to lived in this street between 1849 and 1857. He lived in the house At the Two Suns (no. 47) at the upper part of the street. The house sign belongs among the most beautiful ones. Neruda’s name is also connected with the house At Three Black Eagles (no. 41) where Neruda lived after the death of his father. He made his first collection of poems there.
The house At the Three Fiddles (no. 12) reminds us the history of this house – it used to host three families who made their living by making violins. They were so successful that they exported their products abroad. It’s said that during the full moon you can still hear mysterious tones of violins.
The house At the Red Lion (no. 41) can be recognized by a red lion holding a golden cup in his fore paw. The house used to be the home of Petr Brandl, famous Czech painter, whose work can be seen at the Church of St Margaret in Prague-Brevnov or the Church of St James.
The Historical Pharmacies exhibition that belongs to the National Museum can be found (and smelled) in the house At the Golden Lion (no. 32). You can learn there about the Culture of Pharmaceutical Work and Pharmacies in Bohemia and Moravia from the Renaissance up to the 19th century.
Can you find other house signs, such as the Red Eagle (no.6), the Golden Horseshoe (no. 34), the Green Lobster (no. 43) or the White Swan (no. 49) in this street?
How to get there:
From metro station Malostranska (green line A) continue by tram (no. 12, 20, 22, 23) to the next Malostranska. Nerudova street is just up the hill.
For more pictures see House Symbols Photo Gallery and Nerudova Street Photo Gallery