The House of Body Culture in Klárov is located directly opposite the Straka Academy. It was designed by Emil Wagner, the successor of Alois Klára, after whom the entire area around the Malostranská metro station is named. Wagner approached architect Piskač to expand the premises of the neighboring Klárov Institute for the Blind. Piskač’s design from the early 20th century features a generally historicizing appearance, clever use of Art Nouveau elements, and an unconventional triangular floor plan. Most Prague residents know the building mainly as the House of Body Culture, where people used to go for exercise, swimming, and where you could find the first sauna in Prague. Currently, the building is managed by the Office for Representation of the State in Property Affairs, and its future use is still uncertain.

Although the first mention of the House U Červeného orla (At the Red Eagle) dates back to 1403, its appearance has been frequently altered due to fires and gradual reconstructions. Its present-day look reflects renovations from the third quarter of the 18th century, but many references to earlier times have been preserved on the facade. Evidence of this includes a Renaissance entrance portal with stone framing, a richly profiled cornice, and a gable with a typical Baroque cutout. In the frieze above the windows of the first floor, there is a painting of an eagle on a rock, which likely refers to the pharmacy that was located in the house in the 17th century. The abandoned house aligns its narrow facade with Nerudova Street, which has been the main thoroughfare between Malá Strana and Prague Castle for centuries. Coronation processions used to pass through here, a sight that today can only be reminiscent of the flowing crowds of tourists.

The House At The Holy Spirit follows the paradox that in one of the busiest streets in Prague, there are numerous empty buildings. This four-story early Baroque building got its name from the house sign depicting a dove with outspread wings in a cloud-shaped frame, symbolizing the Holy Spirit. Although the building stands on Renaissance foundations, its significant Baroque transformation contributes to the harmonious character of Nerudova Street, which is known for its beautifully adorned Baroque bourgeois houses and palaces. However, there is a noticeable difference in the ground floor of the house, which underwent alterations in the 19th century during its last major renovation. It is also the only part of the building that is currently in use as a souvenir shop.

The history of the originally Renaissance Morzinský House dates back to the first half of the 16th century. Like other houses on the street, the Morzinský House underwent significant transformations during the high Baroque period in the early 18th century, followed by a late Baroque reconstruction, which is still evident on its facade. An image of the Madonna of Svatotomášská was placed in a rectangular framed panel above the entrance portal and served as a house sign until the 1960s. In 2006, it was removed and stored in the collections of the Prague City Museum. According to available sources, it appears that the house was sold to a new owner at the end of October 2020. Hopefully, the new buyer will bring new life to it!

The Burgher House U Zlatého žaludu (At the Golden Chestnut) was originally built for František Santini Aichl, the brother of the renowned architect Jan Blažej Santini Aichl. However, just a few years after its completion, the original owner passed away, and the Baroque villa was acquired by the Lobkowicz family, who renovated it and gifted it to Capuchin musicians. It is a preserved example of the original architecture in Nový Svět (New World) with a rural touch. Originally, this part of the city was considered rather impoverished, and the locals were often employed at Prague Castle. Since they didn’t have much money, they compensated for their poverty with the names of their dwellings. The chestnut is not the only thing in this area with the epithet “golden.” You can also find the House U Zlaté hvězdy (At the Golden Star), U Zlaté hrušky (At the Golden Pear), or U Zlatého beránka (At the Golden Lamb).

The House U Kundraticů, also known as Švábovský, was created in the early 14th century by combining two originally Renaissance agricultural buildings. Over time, it was converted into an apartment building and acquired a Neoclassical appearance. To this day, in addition to its Gothic cellars and mysterious arcade, the simple early Baroque facade from the second half of the 17th century has been preserved, which best reveals the desperate state of the entire structure. Although it is practically uninhabitable in modern times, according to the commercial register, it serves as the registered address for 83 companies. Currently, it is supposed to be structurally secured, but specific renovations are yet to be seen. The future of the building now depends on an agreement between three sectors: heritage conservationists, investors, and the city.