Palác Adria, Prague Travel Guide

Palác Adria, located in Prague's Nové Město (New Town), stands as a prime example of Rondo-Cubist architecture. Constructed between 1923 and 1924 for the Italian insurance company Riunione Adriatica di Sicurtà, the palace was designed by Josef Zasche, with Pavel Janák contributing the color scheme and interior design. The name 'Adria' is derived from a shortened version of 'Adriatica'.The building's facade incorporates semi-circular and triangular cornices, towers, and sculptures by prominent artists like Otto Gutfreund, Jan Štursa, and Bohumil Kafka. Štursa's sculpture 'Adria' (or 'Seafaring') is a notable feature on the facade. Inside, visitors can find an elaborate 24-hour clock surrounded by bronze statuettes representing the zodiac signs. The palace also includes an arcade with a mosaic floor depicting insurance-related themes and a glass-ceilinged courtyard.Throughout its history, Palác Adria has housed various establishments, including a café, textile shops, the Czechoslovak Film Institute, and the Laterna Magika experimental theatre. The building has undergone reconstructions, including a major one in 1996-1997. Today, it contains apartments, offices, commercial spaces, a theatre club, an art gallery, and a restaurant, blending historical architecture with modern functions.