New Provostry

The reconstruction and extension of the New Provostry’s courtyard wings were guided by the idea of opening the previously inaccessible courtyard to the public. This created a welcoming space where visitors can relax with views of the northern part of the Prague castle. Two new extensions were added on the footprints of historical outbuildings: the western annex now houses a café, and the eastern annex serves as a versatile commercial unit. The existing building underwent mostly conservation-focused restoration, with minimal changes to improve spaciousness and openness.

The project aimed to restore the historic New Provostry to its late 19th-century appearance and original role as the administrative seat of the Metropolitan Chapter of St. Vitus. The renovation removed remnants of its former technical use and combined careful restoration with new, timeless elements. Architectural creativity was expressed in new courtyard extensions and the redesign of the parterre. The original annexes, demolished in the 1970s, had left the area devastated and inaccessible. The new wings, designed in a contemporary yet traditional spirit, feature open glass façades and a café terrace, bringing liveliness to the space. Restoration of the northern wall uncovered unique opportunities: two cannon embrasures were renewed as part of the café interior, offering views into the Deer Moat, while a wall bend inspired a new lookout platform. Despite technical challenges, the courtyard became a calm, welcoming public space within Prague Castle—accessible, shaded, and refined.

The project focused on restoring the historic building to its late 19th-century appearance. The renovation used durable, timeless materials and balanced original and contemporary colour schemes. Historic doors and windows were restored, missing tiles replaced, and wooden floors repaired or reconstructed. New elements, such as glass partitions, were designed with restraint to complement the historic character. New courtyard extensions, built on the footprints of former stables and the coach house, now serve commercial purposes. They feature sandstone cladding (from Vyhnánov), subtle tiled and wooden floors, and glass facades with fine steel frames. The sheet metal elements made of copper were finished with a patina characteristic of Prague Castle. The courtyard was also revitalized: a stone lookout with a fountain was built near the fortification wall. The fountain combines granite (from Mrákotín) and cast bronze, while the courtyard paving uses granite from the Březinka quarry.