Before it became the most picturesque part of Prague, it burned to ashes a few times. How did the New World evolve?
Under the name New World, many people could imagine a modern housing estate or locality that was created. At the same time, the not at all long alley, which gave its name to a charming locality, is located in those the oldest places in the Prague metropolis. But why has it been called the New World for a long time?
In the shadow of the temple
written The first evidence of the New World comes up from the 14th century, when the official establishment of this part of Prague is also estimated. “It is named because originated in the area behind the Hradčany walls, previously uninhabited, ”Says priest and philosopher Jan Blesík in the book Nový Svět na Hradčanech. The chronicler František Ruth notes in his Chronicle of Royal Prague thatthe name Nový Svět comes from here, that houses were built here only after the construction of the Charles Wall“Which would mean that the first inhabitants moved into the alley and its surroundings after 1360, when Prague was ordered by Charles IV. surrounded by new walls.
Behind them, as a certain suburb, remained the New World, to which they moved primarily workers, stonemasons, bricklayers and joiners, who were to take part, for example, in the construction of the New Town of Prague, the new fortifications or the Church of St. Welcome. The clergymen who belonged to the church of St. also lived here. Welcome.
Spark on fire
As soon as a small settlement was established, it began to face an unfavorable fate. After years of cultural, political and architectural growth, which brought with it the government of Charles IV, The “revolutionary” Hussite era. And the New World, including its inhabitants, was not spared.
In 1420, Sigismund of Luxembourg occupied Prague Castle with his army. The Hussites then wanted to expel him and conquer the Castle. While they were successful in other battles with the Roman king’s crusaders – they defeated him at Vítkov and Vyšehrad – They did not succeed in conquering Prague Castle. “When the Hussites learned that the royal army was defending the castle, camped June 14, 1420 the whole of Hradčany, Pohořelec, Úvoz as New worldso that not a single house gets royal, “describes Blesík.
The weir, after the Hussites, remained so large that none of the townspeople dared to try to restore the houses there. “Thus, in the years 1510 and 1515, these towns remained gardens until these citiesAfter all, those who built houses after a while did not see anything more pleasant than the next fire that followed. in 1541. “It was very hot and dry then, because it didn’t rain for a long time. Everything was arid, including trees, vineyards and grass“Says a priest who lived in the New World for many years. According to the chronicler Jan Beckovský, the whole of Hradčany, including Nový Svět, burned down with the exception of seven houses.
In summer, the New World is surrounded by greenery. It really is in the center of the capital.
Author: M. Rušinová, Century 21, Photo by NFA
Patron on the throne
In the form in which we know the New World today, it was created during the reign of Rudolf II. nand the turn of the 16th and 17th centuries. “Some town houses of the Renaissance type were built from the ground up: These are the bigger houses. Others, small ones, were just repaired, “says Blesík. At that time they were Hradčany promoted to a royal city, which became literally showy and massive, “which only grew the difference between the poor New World and the more powerful neighborhood. “
Gate to Prague
A big, not very flattering role was played by the New World during Thirty Years’ War. It was in these places that the Czech Estates soldiers marched on Bílá hora, and paradoxically they also fled here from the imperial troops who won the battle in 1620. But more importantly, the New World played a role in 1648when the Swedes besieged Prague.
“At that time, the knight Arnošt Ottovalský, a former imperial officer, lived in Prague,” says the priest. During the Thirty Years’ War, he took part in several battles when he lost his hand, which he later asked for adequate pension or equivalent military rank. “When he did not achieve this, he burned with hatred for the imperial army and Prague.” The Swedes were thus offered their perfect knowledge of the Prague fortifications, which they did not hesitate to use.
Nový Svět is one of the most picturesque places in all of Prague. This is how the statue of Jan Nepomucký peeks out from the greenery for visitors.
Author: David Malík
One night, a Swedish unit led by the Ottovalský unnoticed through Nový Svět to Prague Castle, where he killed a guard and had the Strahov Gate opened. “It’s between three and four in the morning the Swedish army entered Hradčany and Mala Strana and the Swedes themselves valued the loot at 12 million gold, ”explains Blesík. During the invasion, Prague suffered many losses. Many valuables and treasures from the collections of Rudolf II. was then stolen by the Swedes, and she never returned to Prague. And the traitor Ottowald? He received a noble title from Queen Kristina of Sweden for his services and became a general.
For Praguers, however, this “dagger in the back” has become a lesson. The fortifications at the New World underwent careful repairsand when other troops besieged Prague 100 years later, it was not the New World that rolled over the walls.
A prominent corner from the poor alley
Although the houses in the New World still seem beautiful and literally unobtrusive to this day, many of them did not live well. All the more so as one was always shared by several inhabitants. The New World has been paying for centuries residence of the Prague poor. No original palaces can be found here, some houses may seem so – to be thanks to modern repairs, extensions and reconstructions.
Until after the 19th century the New World has become residence of many famous artistswho found the necessary peace for their work here. Over the years, for example, the sculptor Josef Nálepa, the versatile glassmaker Bořek Šípek or the painters Jan Zrzavý and Jiří Anderl stayed here. The uniqueness of the locality also attracted the writers Ota Pavel with Arnošt Lustig, as well as the photographers Jan Reich or Ota Pajer, the film directors Jindřich Polák with Karel Kachyňa and Jan Švankmajer. With its uniqueness and unique character, it attracts more and more visitors.
Until it was sunk, the Cranberry tributary flowed through these very places. The increased incidence of crayfish also gave its name to this new building, which has long been called U Raka.
Author: David Malík