History of "Dum u Jeziska"
(House at the Jesus Child)
housing the Alchymist Grand Hotel and Spa
The building plots on which the Dum u Jeziska and other buildings stand-on originated from the apportionment of local gardens that took place towards the end of the sixteenth century under the supervision of the notable builder Oldrich Avostalis.
Based on the wishes of the Lesser Town settlement representatives, he also drafted the regulation of two streets, today`s Bretislavova and Vlasska streets. He also proposed the construction of eighteen new buildings here. Towards the end of his life in 1592 - 1593, he led the reconstruction of the Augustinian monastery by the Church of St. Thomas in Lesser Town. He was buried here when he died on May 10th, 1597.
The oldest preserved part of the Dum u Jeziska in Lesser Town is the rear part of the structure facing the court-yard, built after 1591. The lower part of the original tower structure, the perimeter masonry of which is supported by steel bars, could date from the fortification of the Lesser Town in 1257, the oldest Premyslid fortification.
This tower, which later underwent a Baroque adaptation, is decorated between the second-floor windows with a very well preserved polychrome relief sculpture of Our Lady of Loretto. Some sources hypothesize and many times even state that the author of the sculpture is the carver and painter Ludvik Kohl.
The first written information about today`s Dum u Jeziska dates from 1548, i.e. even before the above mentioned property apportionment. The building must have certainly looked different back then and its ground plan was much more modest. It was owned by Ruprecht Haugvic of Haugvic, who, having debts, was forced to transfer it to Jirik Zejdlic of Senfeld. His three grandsons, Henry, George, and Ladislav, sold it to the Lesser Town community, which also bought the adjoining building, the House of the Golden Scale, number 364, which permitted, from the point of view of this area, a major urban achievement.
Kaspar Bytessky bought the building in 1596 and, just one year later, sold it to the imperial counselor Krystof of Fictum. Another change in the property`s ownership took place in 1606, when the builder Horacio Fontain de Brussat bought it. He then gave it in 1636 as a present to his nephew Rajchart de Bois, a Lesser Town townsman and tailor. Rajchart de Bois named it the Town of Paris Building, possibly because he wanted to bring attention to his French origin. In 1685, the building became the property of Petr Fink of Finkenthal. Under his and, after his death, his widowed wife Rozalie`s ownership, it went through a Baroque reconstruction and received its current shape.
The building, located on the upper part of Trziste Street, is also famous because the young Frantisek Palacky lived there from 1823 to 1825 when he arrived in Prague. In the nineteenth century a picture of the Infant Jesus of Prague was hung on the balcony on the main facade and the Lesser Town neighbors began to call it the Dum u Jeziska . The new name caught on and has been preserved until today. The name has also been reinforced by the fact that the widely worshipped wax statuette of the Infant Jesus of Prague is placed on its own altar in the nearby Carmelite Church of Our Lady of Victory. In 1988, after prior preparation, an extensive regeneration and structural reconstruction commenced in this locality, defined by Nerudova, Trziste, and Vlasska streets, and collectively called Jansky vrsek. The Dum u Jeziska is also linked with several legends. One of them says that a convent once stood here and a local nun seriously violated the rules of her order. Although the legend does not specify her offence, we can assume it was a breach of the order of celibacy, because the punishment that followed was the usual sentence for this kind of behavior - she was bricked up alive. Legend claims that her unhappy soul has been wandering here around midnight ever since. The legend also suggests a solution - the nun will be freed only when the house built on the former convent foundations is demolished and the nun`s remains are duly buried.The Alchymist Grand Hotel and Spa offers a fully equipped gym situated in a unique gothic cellar. The health club is complimentary for hotel guests; is air-conditioned and features the latest Technogym cardio and weight fitness equipment. The health club includes a private pool and relaxation area, separate locker rooms and dry and steam saunas. A personal trainer is available by appointment. Monthly or annual membership for non hotel guests includes member discounts in all outlets of the Alchymist Grand Hotel and Spa.…The Balance between inner and outer beauty, between that which is visible and that which lies within…” Stress, fatigue, targets, visions, deadlines all combine to push the body and mind to limits from which they must be re-charged and the spirit must be renewed. A peaceful retreat in their serene sanctuary where the natural healing touch and skilled graceful hands of their trained therapists, combined with specially chosen delicate fragrances meet to seduce your senses and revitalize your body giving a totally unforgettable experience.,p> Soothing music, delicate natural cosmetics and pure essential oils all complement the professional touch of our compassionate Balinese experts. Your mind, body and soul are all individually special to us and as such, Ecsotica Spa uses only the most natural and proven healing products.
Enjoy the bliss of crystal minerals in the various styles of massage, scrubs, body wraps and masks. Allow your skin the luxury of a stimulating rose petal milk bath.
Discover the treatment which transforms your mind and body to their optimum levels in the serene, graceful splendour of the Spa.
Our commitment is to excellence. Consult their Spa Programmer to determine the best essential oils, natural cosmetics, massage techniques and other natural therapies that most suit you. Their purpose is to create an environment tailored to your needs that will guarantee your relaxation, reflection and rejuvenation.
The Residence Alchymist is situated in the centre of Golden Prague, not far away from The Charles Bridge and Prague Castle.The distance from the Airport is 15 minutes by car and to the centre is 10 minutes walking.
