Circle 2

The grammar school at which writers such as Franz Werfel, Max Brod, Paul Leppin, Willy Haas, Paul Kornfeld, Franz Janowitz and other German writers studied.

Franz Werfel (10.9.1890 - 26.8.1945) was a member of Prague Circle, a group of German speaking writers. Most of them were of Jewish origin. Werfel later converted to Catholicism. He moved to Vienna where he married Alma Mahler, a widow of the composer Gustav Mahler. Werfel describes this place in his psychological novel "Class Reunion" (1928), subtitled "History of Guilt from Youth", and it reflects the grammar school years of the protagonist, judge Ernst Sebastian. Twenty five years later, he is dealing with his mistake from his youth when, instead of admitting his offence, he falsely accused his classmate of fraud and caused his leave from Prague. Werfel describes walking through night Prague, wild visits to nightclubs, spiritualist sessions and literary parties, which are mainly autobiographical.

In the hose next-door, there was a sweet shop, where Werfel and Leppin met instead of attending the school. From there, they set out on wild wanderings through Prague.

The novel was filmed in 1965, 1974 and 1999.

A birthplace of a German writing author of Jewish origin Paul Kornfeld (11.12.1889-25.4.1942).

Originating from a Jewish family, Kornfeld was deported to the Łódž ghetto, where he later died. He devoted himself to dramaturgy and was a representative of expressionist theatre. Kornfeld was to be a model for Werfel's character Adler in "Class reunion". 

"It was generally understood among the students that Adler was a highly-gifted poet and thinker, who wrote poetic dramas and essays on philosophy. The elect few who had read his works spoke of them with admiration, and only in whispers, as though they were some priceless secret." (39)

He figured as a medium in spiritualistic sessions, in which Franz Kafka and Max Brod also took part.

The German poet Rainer Maria Rilke (4.12. 1875 - 29.12.1926) lived in this house from 1892 to 1895.

Rilke was the oldest member of the Prague Circle and, unlike most other German writers, was of non-Jewish descent. During his stay in Vodičkova Street, he published his first collection of poems, "Leben und Lieder" (Life and Songs) in 1894 and short prose, "Generations" and "Ewald Tragy". Rilke is one of the most important German poets of the 20th century. His poetic work is influenced by symbolism and he influenced many poets throughout the whole 20th century. It contains themes about the meaning of life, human existence and loneliness. Rilke often touches on death in his poems and is therefore often referred to as the "poet of death." Rilke had a very complicated relationship to women due to his mother who dressed him up to his 11 years as a girl. This trouble is depicted in the film Lou Andreas Salomé (2016), where Rilke is the lover of Salomé

Another member of the so-called Prague Circle, the introverted writer Gustav Meyrink (1868-1932), lived at this address in 1891.

He came to Prague from Vienna, and although he did not speak Czech, he had contacts with Czech writers (e.g. Julius Zeyer). At this point, Meyrink experienced his first contact with the occult, which characterizes his entire literary work. He wanted to commit suicide but was interrupted by a murmur at the door. This experience later inspired him to write the novel "The Golem", in which he elaborates on a Jewish legend about the Golem in connection with spiritualism, the occult sciences and the emerging knowledge of psychology. In 1902, Meyrink was accused of practising occultism and influencing his clients in the bank he founded. Although the court found no evidence of Meyrink's guilt, he spent several months in prison. After this incident, Meyrink left forever Prague, which became the inspiration for his literary work for the rest of his life. He later converted to Buddhism. He died a mysterious death in Bavaria in 1932, allegedly having a heart attack.

The Slávie Café, the name which was inspired by Pan-Slavism and the Czech Revival movement, was opened in 1884. Thanks to its proximity to the National Theater, it has become a meeting place for Czech artists and intellectuals.

In 1899, Rainer Maria Rilke described this place in his short story "King Bohusch", where he describes the ethnic conflict between the Germans and the Czechs. The main character Rezek was portrayed as the leader of the Czech radical nationalist movement "Omladina" (The Youngsters), which defined itself against moderate nationalists.

Prague is portrayed as a source of mysticism hiding countless secrets that go deep into history. The Czech nation is described as people from melancholic to unhappy who hate the Germans.

The square Křižovnické (Square of Knights of the Cross with the Red Star)- Church of St. Francis of Assisi and the Church of the St. Savior

Křižovnické Square is bordered on the north side by the Church of St. Francis of Assisi, built in 1679-1688, and on the east by the Church of St. Saviour, which was built in 1578-1659. Among the Germans in Prague, it was known as the Seminarkirche (Seminar Church).

Franz Kafka mentions both churches in his short story "A Description of a Struggle" (1912), which is most likely the oldest known text by Kafka. In the story he describes a walk with a mysterious acquaintance on a winter Prague night to Petřín. Kafka did not want the text to be published, but after his death Max Brod decided against his will. The description of one struggle is often referred to as the gateway to Kafka's world, and with this metaphor it might be possible to characterize his entire work and his life, his personal struggle, which he fights against a strangely organized and limited world.

The statue of St. Ludmila on Charles Bridge.

The Statue of St. Ludmila with little Wenceslas comes from the workshop of M.B. Braun from the 18th century. The statue depicts St. Wenceslas, who is learning to read.

In his short story "Description of a Struggle", Franz Kafka describes the journey across Charles Bridge to Petřín Hill. A mysterious friend accompanies the main character: It is a story of wandering, searching and meeting, in which the main character deals with ambivalent and torn relationship to his acquintance.

Part of the short story "Siblings" by Rainer Maria Rilke takes place in this street.

A widow and her children moved here from Krumlov. At his late father's request, his son Zdenko began studying at a Czech university in Prague, where he met young people influenced by nationalism. Rezek, who has a nationalistic effect on the siblings and influences their thinking, from the short story "King Bohuš", also appears in the story. Here, Rilke describes the Czechs' aversion to the Germans and their social status. In addition, he portrays Czechs as romantic, melancholic and with torn souls. Zdenko joins the nationalist movement, groups, which meet in the Daliborka Tower, where Zdenko becomes ill with pneumonia and subsequently dies. His sister Luisa breaks out of Rezek's influence and falls in love with the German tenant Landy.

Thun Palace and its surroundings became the setting for Gustav Meyrink's mystical novel Valpurgis Night (1917). This novel is a mysterious story about Czech history with fantastic elements. Meyrink uses Prague legends and mythology to depict a literary story set at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries.

Thun Palace is inhabited by Countess Zahrádková, who takes violin lessons from Otokar, a mysterious Czech dreamer. Countess Zahrádková's relationship with Otokar is shrouded in mystery, and probably he is her illegitimate son. The Thun Palace is said to be haunted, and there is a huge treasure hidden: a golden royal crown with ruby on its front part.

Night from 31.4. on 1.5. is full of inexplicable phenomena, violence and witches, and allusions to Czech legends and myths appear. The Czechs revolted, attacking Germans and Jews under the influence of the riots of 1897. The German nobility and the Czech mob are depicted here in contrast.

Restaurant U Schnellů (At Schnell's) is one of the oldest restaurants in Prague. Its history dates back to 1665. It appears in Johannes Urzidil's literary work "Prague Triptych" (1960). Johannes Urzidil (1896-1970), who, due to his origin (his father came from a German-Czech environment, his mother was Jewish), later converted to the Catholic faith. He felt to be "transnational" and he portrays contemporary and historical Prague in his work.

Restaurant At Glaubic´s also comes up in Urzidil´s book "Prague Triptych" (1960). Urzidil coined the term "hinternational", which means beyond nations. Before the WWII he escaped to London, later emigrated to the US and died in Rom. However, Prague remained a long life inspiration for his work.