The department store Bílá labuť

The department store Bílá labuť (White Swan) got its name from the baroque house that stood in its place. It was opened shortly before the outbreak of World War II and became the largest and most modern department store in Central Europe. It provided a luxurious shopping experience with a range of unprecedented technologies for its time: escalators, ceiling heating, and so-called pneumatic cash registers connecting various departments. The main facade facing Na Poříčí Street is composed of 180 glass panels, joined together to form one giant window measuring 30 × 18 meters. An unmistakable feature of the building is an eight-meter neon swan, which has been circling above the department store since its opening. Although Bílá labuť has undergone several reconstructions and experienced various political regimes, its original purpose has remained intact, and extensive restoration is also planned.