The House of the Black Madonna blends Cubist art into everyday Prague. For many it’s just another building to walk past, but it carries real weight in the history of Czech architecture: it was the first Cubist building in Prague.
About the House of the Black Madonna
The House of the Black Madonna — Dům U Černé Matky Boží in Czech — stands on one of the streets running from Old Town Square to the Powder Tower, right on the corner of Celetná street and Ovocný trh. It’s a prime example of everything Cubist architecture stands for. The building’s artistic decoration ties the exterior coherently to the interior: the furniture, fittings, and details were all designed in the Cubist style to keep a single, consistent language. Architect Josef Gočár worked the distinctive Cubist forms especially into the front of the building — the railings, the wrought-iron entrance grille, the staircase, and the illusory geometric paintwork are all striking. Today those angular designs are seen as fascinating, even if they don’t match the buildings around them. At the time, though, the complex forms weren’t well received: the structure and interior broke with the stereotypes and the town hall’s rules, which opened the door to everything that came after.
History of the House of the Black Madonna
The house was built in 1911–1912 to Josef Gočár’s design. To make room, a Baroque house that stood on the same spot, belonging to the Granovský knights, had to be demolished. The distinctive name comes from a statue of the Madonna and Child from that earlier building, which had been its hallmark. It was placed on the corner of the new building, behind a gilded grille, and it stuck so firmly that Praguers have always known the place by the Black Madonna and Child.
In November 1993, this important Cubist house underwent a deep reconstruction to a plan by Karel Prager, restored close to its original state — old paint removed, part of the glazed ceiling completed according to Gočár’s specifications. Because Gočár hadn’t followed the town hall’s prescriptions, the building is unique in Prague and stands out sharply from the typical buildings around it.
Why visit the House of the Black Madonna?
The house has been a National Cultural Monument since 2010. The architectural value of its structure and interior is remarkable, and it’s drawn more attention as Prague has become a popular destination. Visitors can see an exhibition of original Cubist art — and the carefully reconstructed café is another highlight (more on that below).
The Museum of Czech Cubism
The building reopened in 1994 as a center for Czech art in the heart of the historic city, with a permanent display of Czech Cubism. Its management has changed over the years — it’s been run by different institutions and even sat closed for stretches — but today it houses the Museum of Czech Cubism, run by Prague’s Museum of Decorative Arts (UPM). The collection gathers original work by the big names of the movement, and the museum is included in the Prague Visitor Pass.
Visiting (2026): admission is about 150 CZK (80 CZK reduced), and the museum is open Tuesday 10 a.m.–8 p.m., Wednesday to Sunday 10 a.m.–6 p.m., and closed Monday. It’s worth checking the official site before you go, as hours can shift.
What is Czech Cubism?
Czech Cubism was a short-lived movement, roughly 1910–1914 and unique to the Czech lands. Where French Cubism stayed mostly on canvas, Czech architects and designers took its geometry into three dimensions — buildings, furniture, ceramics, even everyday objects. The House of the Black Madonna is its flagship, and you’ll spot other examples around the city (see the end of this guide).
Paintings
Inside you’ll find paintings by Emil Filla, one of the leading Czech Cubist painters, among other works on display.
Sculptures
The bronze sculptures by Otto Gutfreund are among the museum’s standout pieces. Works by Vincenc Beneš, Josef Čapek, Otakar Kubín, and Václav Špála are also shown on the building’s upper floors.
The Grand Café Orient
Visitors can have a coffee on the first floor, and the Grand Café Orient is well worth it: a faithful recreation of the original Cubist café from the early 20th century. Did you know it’s the only Cubist café in the world? It was closed for nearly a century — by the 1920s its style was considered out of fashion — but it reopened to the public in 2002, and now you can enjoy a coffee surrounded by Cubist detail in the ceiling lights, the furniture, the benches, and even the cubist-shaped pastries. Entry is free; you only pay for what you order.
On the ground floor, the Kubista shop sells Cubist and Art Deco design — originals and quality replicas — if you’d like to take a piece of the style home.
Where is the House of the Black Madonna?
It’s on the corner of Celetná and Ovocný trh in the Old Town, on the walk between Old Town Square and the Powder Tower — about a minute from the tower. The nearest metro is Náměstí Republiky (line B). It slots neatly into an Old Town walk; if you’re planning your days, see our Prague in 2 days guide, and if you’ll be visiting several sights, our take on whether the Prague Visitor Pass is worth it.
Other Cubist sights in Prague
If the style grabs you, there’s a small Cubist trail to follow: the Cubist lamppost just off Jungmannovo náměstí (the only one in the world), and the Cubist villas and the Hodek apartment house below Vyšehrad, by architect Josef Chochol. Together with the House of the Black Madonna, they’re the heart of Czech Cubism.
See you in Prague.
Our experience
We walk past the House of the Black Madonna on the Old Town route, and most people don't realize they're looking at the building that started Czech Cubism. We like to stop and point out the details — the wrought-iron grille, the geometric facade, the Madonna on the corner — before sending travelers up to the Grand Café Orient for a coffee under cubist chandeliers. It's the kind of place that rewards knowing what you're looking at. After 8+ years guiding the Old Town daily — and 70,000+ reviews at a 4.96 average — this is one of our favorite look-up moments.
Frequently asked questions
What is the House of the Black Madonna?
It's the first Cubist building in Prague, designed by architect Josef Gočár in 1911–1912, on the corner of Celetná street and Ovocný trh in the Old Town, near the Powder Tower. Today it houses the Museum of Czech Cubism and the Grand Café Orient, the only Cubist café in the world.
Why is it called the House of the Black Madonna?
It's named for a Baroque statue of the Black Madonna and Child that belonged to the building that stood here before. It was kept and placed on the corner of the new building, behind a gilded grille, and locals have always known the place by it.
What is Czech Cubism?
A short-lived movement, roughly 1910–1914 and unique to the Czech lands, that took the geometry of Cubist painting and applied it to architecture, furniture, and everyday objects. The House of the Black Madonna — the building, the interior, even the café spoons — is its flagship.
Is the House of the Black Madonna a museum? What's inside?
Yes — it holds the Museum of Czech Cubism, run by Prague's Museum of Decorative Arts (UPM), with cubist paintings, sculptures (including bronzes by Otto Gutfreund), furniture, and design. There's also the Grand Café Orient on the first floor and the Kubista design shop on the ground floor.
How much is admission, and what are the hours?
As of 2026, museum admission is about 150 CZK (80 CZK concession), and it's open Tuesday 10 a.m.–8 p.m., Wednesday to Sunday 10 a.m.–6 p.m., closed Monday. It's included in the Prague Visitor Pass. Check the official site before you go, as hours can change.
Can you visit the Grand Café Orient, and is it free?
Yes. The café on the first floor is free to enter — you only pay for what you order — and it's open daily (roughly 9 a.m.–10 p.m.). It's a faithful reconstruction of the original Cubist café, with angular chandeliers, furniture, and even cubist desserts. It reopened in 2002 after decades closed.
Where is the House of the Black Madonna?
At the corner of Celetná and Ovocný trh in the Old Town, on the walk between Old Town Square and the Powder Tower — about a minute from the tower. The nearest metro is Náměstí Republiky (line B).
Are there other Cubist sights in Prague?
Yes. Look for the Cubist lamppost just off Jungmannovo náměstí (the only one in the world), and the Cubist villas and the Hodek apartment house below Vyšehrad, by architect Josef Chochol. With the House of the Black Madonna, they make a small Cubist trail.
