Not far from the famous Prague Orloj there is another equally interesting city attraction. It is the so-called Dům U minuty, most likely bearing this name because tobacco and all sorts of small items used to be sold here, which people referred to with the word “minuciozni.”
It is simply impossible to pass by this building without noticing it – the whole of it seems to be covered with fine and elegant ornamentation. Interestingly, this house was originally built in the Gothic style as early as the beginning of the 15th century. A century later, it was reconstructed in the spirit of the Renaissance. That was when it acquired its unique decoration, which was concealed during the Baroque-style reconstruction, but after the restoration of 1919 it was once again revealed to the eyes of the townspeople.
The technique used for this decoration is called “sgraffito,” which translates as “scratching.” It is created in a rather ingenious way: 2 разноцветных layers of plaster are applied to the building facade, an original design is made on the second, wetter layer with a special tool, and the excess is removed, thereby revealing the lower layer.
On the walls of Dům U minuty there are numerous images of historical figures, scenes of mythological and biblical themes, as well as allegorical figures representing human virtues.
