What's in a Prague street name

Nad lomem was built in 1925.

Braník is known for the Branické skály, or the Braník Rocks, designated as natural monument in 1968.

From the 1700s (maybe earlier) until 1928, limestone was mined round here. Mining involves quarries, and the Czech for ‘quarry’ is ‘lom’ – hence this street being ‘Above the quarry’.

However, wander along Nad lomem, and you might find yourself paying less attention to the landscape and more attention to some seriously swish houses.

One of these is the Prager and Louda Villa.

In 1968, the architect Karel Prager – known for, erm, not universally loved buildings such as the New Stage of the National Theatre (see below and/or https://whatsinapraguestreetname.com/2024/09/14/prague-1-day-105-divadelni/) and the new building of the National Museum – built the villa to live in.

It was shaped like a cube and had a flat roof. In 1978, his son-in-law, Jan Louda, added a half-cylinder, made of metal, to the roof, an extension so big that it added two floors to the building.