Governor's Summer House

Prague, Czech Republic (Czechia)

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The Governor’s Summer House in Prague, also known as Místodržitelský letohrádek, is a historic Renaissance pleasure palace built between 1538 and 1565 as part of the Royal Garden near Prague Castle.

It was commissioned under King Ferdinand I and designed by architects including Paolo della Stella and Giovanni Spatio, featuring a long arcade with decorative reliefs, elegant portals, and detailed windows, making it one of the finest Renaissance buildings in Central Europe. The palace’s design incorporates a blend of circular and star-shaped elements with intricate stucco ceilings inside.

Its name refers to Jan Rudolf Chotek, a former owner who played a key role in Bohemian industrialization in the 18th century. Over the centuries, the building’s function evolved from a royal leisure residence to a repository for magazines and periodicals of the National Library. The palace stands on a high ridge overlooking Prague’s Stromovka park and is recognized for its architectural beauty and historical significance.