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Südost-Ansicht • South-east view Ansichten • Views

Blick über die Stadt: Dachterrasse nach Süden • View over the city: roof terrace facing south Grundriss Erdgeschoss • Ground floor plan

Grundriss Untergeschoss • Basement floor plan
rights, they imposed a shamelessly high tax. Jenny Winternitz was forced to donate the
house to the Czechoslovakian government. The city of Prague had already bought the
villa from the Nazi authorities and used the property as a kindergarten until 1997. Jenny
and Suzana never set foot in the villa again. The house’s chequered history was forgotten
and it fell into disrepair. It was not until 1989 that Suzanna showed her old home to
relatives. However, the doors remained closed to her until her death in 1991. As part of
the restitution process, the villa was only returned to her descendants in 1997. In 1999,
the family organized a successful cultural festival. The “crazy dream”, according to David
Cysar, the great-grandson of the builder, was to open the villa as a gallery. Between 1999
and 2002, his father had the house reconstructed with the help of a team of Loos experts.
When Stanislav Cysar died in 2016, his son David promised him that he would continue
to look after the villa. He and his wife initially opened the house to the public for a week.
More than 5,000 visitors came. “The energy of the people gave us the strength to open
the house permanently,” says Cysar. “We wanted to create a museum that gives visitors
the feeling of being at home.” Guests can even spend the night here – with breakfast on
the roof and dinner in the great hall. Changing architecture exhibitions are held on the
first floor. “People like to experience culture in culturally significant places,”“ says Cysar.
Almost 100 years ago, the Winternitz family had a house built in which they hosted
receptions and celebrations. Today, David and his wife bring the lifestyle of this legendary
time back. They organize dance evenings, readings and concerts. Who wouldn’t want to
spend a night in such an icon?

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