Breadcrumbs navigation
Italian Cultural Institute (Italský kulturní institut)
The Italian Cultural Institute in cooperation with the Italian Embassy in Prague supports cultural relations and exchange between Italy and the Czech Republic and spreads Italian culture and the Italian language through the Czech lands. The current seat of the Institute is an extensive compound dating back to the late 16th century, which includes an ambit and vaulted baroque chapel embellished with frescos. The Chapel of the Virgin Mary and St. Carlo Borromeo is used as an exhibition hall and space for conferences and concerts.
- Monuments & Architecture
- palace
- Baroque
- Arts & Entertainment
Opening hours
-
- January – December
- Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu
- 08.30 – 18.00
-
- Fri
- 08.30 – 14.30
Practical information
Contacts
- Italian Cultural Institute (Italský kulturní institut)
- Šporkova 14
- 118 00 Praha 1 – Malá Strana
- +420257090681
Object history
The history of the Italian Cultural Institute in Prague is inextricably tied to the history and penetration of the Italian population into Central Europe, and especially into Prague, a trend which began in the mid-thirties of the 16th century. The Italian minority in Prague and the Jesuits of St. Clement played an instrumental role in this respect in the first half of the 16th century, laying the ground for the establishment of the Chapel of the Italians (Vlašská Kaple), the Italian congregation and the Italian Hospital.
The chapel, accessible from Vlašská Street 34, was consecrated to the Virgin Mary and St. Carlo Borromeo by Archbishop Jan Loheli on 3 July 1617. It is an example of early baroque architecture in Prague, consisting of a single nave with lateral niches and a barrel vault embellished with paintings.
Information source: https://iicpraga.esteri.it/iic_praga/cs/