House At The Minute
Historic Building in Prague
The House At The Minute, located near the entrance to Old Town Square in Prague, is a stunning historic gem dating back to the early 1400s. Originally known as the White Lion House, the building underwent a major Renaissance transformation in 1564, including the addition of a third floor and exquisite Sgraffito etchings. These intricate white-on-black designs depict a blend of Biblical tales like Adam and Eve, Roman mythology featuring Hercules and Bacchus, Habsburg rulers such as Philip II of Spain, and even Ottoman Sultan Selim. Over the years, the house served multiple purposes, including as a pharmacy until 1712. Its corner is adorned with a Lion statue that still survives, once proudly displaying the Habsburg coats of arms, though the painting on it has since faded.
By the late 18th century, the building was converted into a tobacco shop, earning its current name, At The Minute—a nod to the small packs of tobacco sold there (minute meaning “my-nute,” not a measure of time). Despite its storied past, the beautiful Sgraffito facade was covered in plaster until being rediscovered during renovations in 1919. Today, the House At The Minute is celebrated as the childhood home of Franz Kafka, who lived there with his family from 1889 to 1896. Kafka’s experiences in the house are believed to have influenced his writing, particularly his portrayals of helplessness under bureaucratic systems, a hallmark of Kafkaesque literature. The house now accommodates Ristorante Italiano Al Minuto on its ground floor, making it a fascinating blend of historic and contemporary Prague.
The House At The Minute appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Prague!
This website uses affiliate links which may earn a commission at no additional cost to you!
Visiting House At The Minute
Nearby Attractions
- Little Square (Malé Náměstí) (0.0) km
Square in Prague - Astronomical Clock, Prague (0.1) km
Tower in Prague - Old Town Hall in Prague (0.1) km
Town Hall in Prague - 1621 Memorial Crosses (0.1) km
Monument in Prague - Karlova Street (0.1) km
Street in Prague - Marian Colum (0.1) km
Monument in Prague - Old Town Square, Prague (0.1) km
Square in Prague - The Prague Meridian (0.1) km
in Prague - Church of St. Nicholas (Old Town) (0.1) km
Church in Prague - Jan Hus Memorial (0.1) km
Statue in Prague
