Vestiges

Barrandov Terraces

The Barrandov Terraces (Barrandovské terasy), perched on the southern edge of Prague, sit at the threshold of a residential area defined by the Bauhaus style.

Once home to a celebrated panoramic restaurant and a gathering spot for artists and luminaries during the First Czechoslovak Republic (1918-1938), the terraces now stand above the remains of a grand open-air swimming complex. This monumental reinforced concrete structure, designed by architect Václav Kolátor, is a testament to early 20th-century innovation.

Diving Tower 1 & 2

The complex’s iconic diving tower is its crowning feature, with its sleek, minimalist design and a staircase that spirals gracefully around a single central column. This tower, an emblem of its time, was immortalized by Karel Teige (1900–51), the visionary founder of the Czech avant-garde group Devětsil, in a 1941 collage. The legendary Czech photographer Josef Sudek (1896–1976) also captured its haunting beauty in a renowned photograph.

Both the Barrandov Terraces and the swimming pool have served as cinematic backdrops for films produced by nearby Barrandov Film Studios. Founded in the 1930s by Milos and Václav Havel (the latter being the father of the Czech president Václav Havel) these studios helped to shape Czech cinema.

Diving Tower 3

Since 2016, the terraces have been undergoing extensive restoration to revive their historic charm before opening their doors to the public once again. Architect Ondřej Kukral leads the renovation of the restaurant building, with plans for its reopening underway.

Barrandov Terraces Entrance

Barrandov Terraces

Petite Ceinture