Wallenstein Palace

Wallenstein Palace is the first monumental early Baroque secular building in Prague, built 1624–30 for Albrecht von Wallenstein — imperial generalissimo and the most powerful nobleman of the post-White Mountain period — on the site of 26 demolished houses, 6 gardens, and 2 brickworks. Wallenstein's ambition was explicit: the palace was designed to rival Prague Castle itself. The ceremonial interiors feature frescoed ceilings depicting mythological scenes, including a fresco of Wallenstein himself as a victorious charioteer. Wallenstein was assassinated on Emperor Ferdinand II's orders in 1634, having become too powerful; the property remained in the family until 1945, after which it became state property. Today it is the seat of the Czech Senate. The adjacent Riding Hall — originally built for 37 horses with marble fittings and individual painted portraits above each stall — later served as a Laurin & Klement car repair workshop and is now a Senate conference hall and exhibition space.