Černín Palace: Prague's Baroque Giant

Černín Palace, or Černínský palác in Czech, dominates Prague's Hradčany district as the city's largest Baroque palace. Built for Count Humprecht Jan Černín of Chudenice, a Habsburg imperial ambassador, the palace was intended to rival the grandeur of Prague Castle. Construction began in 1668, with designs initially conceived by Giovanni Lorenzo Bernini and later executed by Francesco Caratti and other prominent architects. The palace boasts an imposing facade stretching 150 meters, adorned with 365 windows and massive Corinthian half-columns. The interior once housed a renowned picture gallery and has been graced by the work of notable artists and sculptors. Over the centuries, the palace has served various purposes, including a shelter for the poor, a military barracks, and, since 1918, the seat of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Černín Palace has been the backdrop for significant historical events. In 1948, Jan Masaryk, the foreign minister, died under mysterious circumstances after falling from a window, an event known as the last defenestration of Prague. In 1991, the documents dissolving the Warsaw Pact were signed here. Today, while the interiors are generally closed to the public, visitors can admire the palace's architecture and, during tourist season, explore its Baroque garden.