Jul 17 2008
Josef Hlavka
Josef Hlavka at Vodickova
Year 2008 marks exactly 100 years since the death of great Czech architect and builder Josef Hlávka. He established a foundation which supports education, science and art and was the biggest Czech philanthropists of all times. When Hlávka died, he bequeathed all his property to the foundation he established. Regrettably there are not that many buildings in Prague that would remind of Hlávka’s architectural skills. Most of part of his ideas was realized in neighboring Austria. Though there is a large block of tenement houses in Vodičkova Street, which serve as the seat of the Hlávka foundation. One of the the most impressive Hlávka’s buildings in Prague is the neo-gothic maternity hospital. It was built in1875 and still serves to its purpose today. Josef Hlavka was actively involved in charity work, supporting Czech artists and scientists. He also constructed dormitory for student and donated money to support gifted students. As he cared a lot about education and new generations he founded the so-called Hlávka foundation to help poor students. So that poor but gifted students could concentrate on their studies, the foundation provided them with accommodation and little food. On the other hand students were required to have excellent marks and they had to be Christians. Josef Hlávka got married twice, but neither of his wives left children behind. Before his own death, this gentleman did a think which was never done before by anybody in Czech Republic: he donated all his property, including the chateau and the tenement houses in Prague, to his foundation.
The Hlávka foundation does exist and active to this day. Awarding successful students, it offers scholarships and funds the publishing of scientific books, ensuring hat Hlávka’s name won’t be forgotten.