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Villa Tugendhat, Brno (must see)
Villa Tugendhat, located in Brno, is a landmark of modern architecture and an iconic example of early 20th-century functionalist design. Designed by the renowned German architects Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Lilly Reich, the villa was constructed between 1928 and 1930 for Fritz Tugendhat and his wife Greta, members of the affluent and influential Jewish Czech Tugendhat family.
This three-story villa, built on a southwest-facing slope, is a pioneering modernist example featuring innovative use of reinforced concrete, industrial materials, and a revolutionary iron framework. This design allowed for a spacious, open interior without supporting walls, embodying Mies van der Rohe's "less is more" principle. The villa's open floor plan, with large glass walls connecting the interior to the landscape, was groundbreaking. The second floor, the main living area, includes social spaces, a conservatory, a terrace, and a kitchen, while the third floor houses the entrance, family bedrooms, and another terrace. The lower level contains service areas, including advanced air-conditioning and a retractable glass façade.
One of the villa's most striking features is the use of luxurious, naturally patterned materials, such as a brown-gold onyx wall sourced from the Atlas Mountains in Morocco. This onyx wall is partially translucent, changing appearance with the angle of the evening sun, and serves as a centerpiece in the main living area. Mies van der Rohe, in collaboration with Lilly Reich, also designed all the furnishings for the villa, including the iconic Tugendhat and Brno chairs, which remain in production today.
The Villa Tugendhat was a technological marvel for its time, with amenities such as an air-conditioning system, large open spaces, and storage rooms like the Mottenkammer, a dedicated moth-resistant room for storing fur coats. The construction methods and the use of high-quality materials resulted in a very high cost, making the villa unique in its scale and minimalist design.
In recognition of its architectural significance, Villa Tugendhat was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2001, cementing its status as a masterpiece of modern architecture and a symbol of the innovative spirit of the early 20th century.
This three-story villa, built on a southwest-facing slope, is a pioneering modernist example featuring innovative use of reinforced concrete, industrial materials, and a revolutionary iron framework. This design allowed for a spacious, open interior without supporting walls, embodying Mies van der Rohe's "less is more" principle. The villa's open floor plan, with large glass walls connecting the interior to the landscape, was groundbreaking. The second floor, the main living area, includes social spaces, a conservatory, a terrace, and a kitchen, while the third floor houses the entrance, family bedrooms, and another terrace. The lower level contains service areas, including advanced air-conditioning and a retractable glass façade.
One of the villa's most striking features is the use of luxurious, naturally patterned materials, such as a brown-gold onyx wall sourced from the Atlas Mountains in Morocco. This onyx wall is partially translucent, changing appearance with the angle of the evening sun, and serves as a centerpiece in the main living area. Mies van der Rohe, in collaboration with Lilly Reich, also designed all the furnishings for the villa, including the iconic Tugendhat and Brno chairs, which remain in production today.
The Villa Tugendhat was a technological marvel for its time, with amenities such as an air-conditioning system, large open spaces, and storage rooms like the Mottenkammer, a dedicated moth-resistant room for storing fur coats. The construction methods and the use of high-quality materials resulted in a very high cost, making the villa unique in its scale and minimalist design.
In recognition of its architectural significance, Villa Tugendhat was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2001, cementing its status as a masterpiece of modern architecture and a symbol of the innovative spirit of the early 20th century.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Brno. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Villa Tugendhat on Map
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Sight Name: Villa Tugendhat
Sight Location: Brno, Czech Republic (See walking tours in Brno)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Sight Location: Brno, Czech Republic (See walking tours in Brno)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Walking Tours in Brno, Czech Republic
Create Your Own Walk in Brno
Creating your own self-guided walk in Brno is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Brno Introduction Walking Tour
Brno is the second-largest city in the Czech Republic. Located in the South Moravian Region, it is the center of Czech's judiciary and the former capital of Moravia.
Brno is known for its exhibition center, one of the largest in Europe. It is also known for its international fireworks competition, Fire of Brno. The long history of fireworks and pyrotechnics are seen in the Spilberk Castle... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
Brno is known for its exhibition center, one of the largest in Europe. It is also known for its international fireworks competition, Fire of Brno. The long history of fireworks and pyrotechnics are seen in the Spilberk Castle... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
Functionalist Architecture in Brno
Functionalist architecture, a style that sought to meet the needs of the rapidly evolving industrial society, emerged in Europe in the wake of World War I.
After Czechoslovakia gained independence in 1918, Brno, the second-largest city in the country, developed rapidly both economically and politically. Its architecture reflected a modernist approach that prioritized functionality and... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.5 Km or 0.9 Miles
After Czechoslovakia gained independence in 1918, Brno, the second-largest city in the country, developed rapidly both economically and politically. Its architecture reflected a modernist approach that prioritized functionality and... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.5 Km or 0.9 Miles