Zlata Uločka

Zlatá ulička

Zlata Uločka is an old dead-end street in Prague Castle. It is known for its dwarf 2-story houses built into the fortress wall. The houses are painted in bright colors, look like toys and are very popular with tourists. The street is often called “a part of old Prague.”

General information

Zlata ulica was built in the Middle Ages. It was originally called Zlatnicka or Jeweler’s Street, because its main inhabitants in those distant times were goldsmiths. However, they were not the only inhabitants of the street: here also lived the royal army riflemen who served at the gates of the Castle, then artisans, cooks, tailors, and even later on the streets began to settle poor people.

There is a legend that alchemists lived here, who had to invent a way to obtain gold for King Rudolf II, but historians completely deny it. However, even without alchemists Zlata Ulitsa can boast of famous residents: writers Franz Kafka (in house No. 22), Jan Marzanek, poet Jaroslav Seifert, composer Jaroslav Ježek, soothsayer Madame de Feb (house No. 14), whose activity was interrupted by the Gestapo because she allegedly did not fulfill the condition that her predictions would not relate to military events, lived here.

After extensive reconstruction, Zlata Uločka is once again available for tourists to see. The houses were renovated and turned partly into souvenir shops, partly into galleries and expositions telling about the life of Prague citizens in the Middle Ages.

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What to see

Once you pass through the turnstile, you will immediately see the entrance to the exhibition hall with an exposition of knight’s armor and other themed paraphernalia. It is better to start your acquaintance with the legendary houses from left to right.

House #27

House No. 27 on Zlata Uločka was the home of a witch doctor. Dry herbs were hung in the room, various jars and jars, special devices for making medicines.

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Entering the lodge, you will see in front of you a transparent glass, protecting the exposition from the pogrom of numerous tourists, however, it does not prevent you from smelling the specific smell of medicinal herbs. In the house there is a small room where the bed is installed, obviously, there the healer rested after a day’s work.

House number 26

In the house numbered 26 lived a seamstress. Various fabrics, a sewing machine, costumes on mannequins help to determine the occupation. The fact that a woman lived here suggests neatness and comfort, a combination of colors, dishes.

House #25

In House No. 25 there is an exhibition with photographs that depict the life of the inhabitants of the street in the 1950s of the XX century.

House No. 24

House 24 was home to Mrs. Magdalena, who was one of the first to introduce the idea of painting the houses on the street in different colors. Her house was an example to those around her. It was with this innovation that a small fee was charged to those who wanted to see the unusual houses.

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The house is recreated with a bed, decorations, and furniture.

Through this house you can go to the Defense Corridor – there is an exhibition of weapons and armor that belonged to the guards of Grad. The corridor leads to the Daliborka and Belaya towers, which served as prisons in the XV-XVIII centuries.

House No. 22

House No. 22 houses a bookstore where you can buy not only books about Prague in various languages, but also necessary maps of the city and souvenirs. By the way, Franz Kafka himself used to live in this house. This is evidenced by the inscription next to the right window.