Overview
Nostický palác is a significant early Baroque residence that holds a prominent place in Prague's architectural history. Originally built between 1658 and 1660 for the noble Nostic family on the site of four older houses, it stands today as the headquarters for the Czech Ministry of Culture. While it is not typically open to the public for daily tours, the palace features a rich interior, including a renowned 18th-century art gallery, a billiard hall, a chapel dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, and a historical library containing approximately 14,000 volumes. Visitors can appreciate the building's exterior, characterized by its four-winged design, double courtyard, and sculptures of emperors by Michal Jan Brokof, from the surrounding streets of Maltézské náměstí and the nearby Kampa area. Occasional open house events provide the rare opportunity to step inside and view the collection of Old Masters and the site's decorative mythological wall paintings.