Municipal Maternity Clinic of St. Apollinaire

At the time of its founding, the Municipal Maternity Clinic of St. Apollinaire was the largest maternity hospital in all of Europe. An impressive building constructed in the neo-gothic style, it was originally built with red bricks that were vibrant enough to earn it the nickname “The Red House”. However, due to the belief that unpainted bricks were better at preventing infection, the bricks have now faded, giving the building the dark imposing visage we see today.

The hospital was commissioned by the Municipal Committee of the Bohemian Kingdom to replace an old maternity hospital nearby as it was no longer big enough to support the community. The building was designed by Josef Hlavka, a famous Czech architect, construction entrepreneur, politician and philanthropist. He traveled around Europe, finding inspiration for the design from the hospital of Brussels, Vienna, and Paris. Construction began in 1865 and finished 10 years later in 1875.

The hospital consists of an inner courtyard and eleven pavilion tracts. It also has two luxurious secret compartments where members of the upper class who became unexpectantly pregnant could give birth and give their children away in secret. In addition to the services the hospital’s medical, midwife, and obstetrician clinics provided, there was also a foundling asylum where mothers who could not look after their children could leave them. The treatment at the hospital was divided into three levels according to price. The richest Prague women enjoyed lavish treatment from midwives, nurses, servants, maids, and cooks during their stay here, but many poorer women also visited the lower price levels with fewer amenities.

The hospital is still in use today and approximately 4,600 children are born here annually. While the historic outside of the building is still preserved, the inside was renovated in the 90s after being damaged in WWII. This renovation also allowed for the city to bring in new medical equipment and facilities, making this building a perfect example of cohesion between Czech history and current culture.

To continue following this tour, take a right at the end of the street and continue straight. Feel free to enjoy the impressive view of the Maternity hospital as you walk!