U zlatého jednorožce history
The earliest relics of one of the oldest Old Town houses are located in well-preserved spacious Romanesque cellars from 12th century. During the flood control action which took place in the second half of 13th century, the terrain of the town was backfilled with earth, often up to four meters. As a result, the ground - and in some cases also the first – floor of original Romanesque houses ended up under the street level and served as a underground cellar in a new – i.e. gothic – houses. Thanks to this condition they were preserved till today. Extreme depth and differences in height of the house give certain evidence that originally there were two houses on this site. The second one – in Železná street – was around 1350 called The House By the Red Doors. Houses were connected probably between the years 1357-1359 when they were owned by a rich financier Václav Geunher. The price of the house was in those times very high – 600 threescore of Prague groschen.
Later, the house had several owners and in 1493, after the death of bishop Augustin Lucian Sanctuarian, it came into possession of shopkeeper George by the Unicorn. This man put his sign on the house – the picture of the unicorn. The house was extensively renovated in 1496. At the same time, it was embellished by portal with lilies and by gateway with wonderful ribbed vault, built by one of the most renowned builder of the time – Matyáš Rejsek. This important builder and stone carver who lived and worked during gothic period clamped the ribbing in keystones which are decorated by chiseled leaf motives. One of them creates the emblem of the owner – George by the Unicorn, the other is Rejsek´s signature, i.e. numbers 1496. After the work was finished, the master put his own portrait in the vault crown which has been preserved till today. Unfortunately, the original portal of the gateway is lost but it is generally thought that besides of it, there was probably another entrance for pedestrians.
In further periods, the house was owned by some other interesting people, among which we can name especially the highest court judge and the emissary in Turkish court, the lord of Kost castle, Heřman Černín from Chudenice. The house remained in the possession of his family for more than a hundred years.
Today's frontage of the house is in late baroque style, from the second half of 18th century. In this period, the house belonged among the biggest Old Town houses and it was in this time when he obtained its name – White Horse. The importance of this place is supported by the fact that it created the starting point during the new numeration of Old Town houses in 1770.
The list of important personalities associated with this house should not lack the name of Czech writer Karel Havlíček Borovský who spent here approximately a year in 1838. A commemorative plaque in the corner of the front side of the house reminds of another giant of Czech culture life – composer Bedřich Smetana, who in 1848 led a musical school here.
Cellars, which are accessible only via steep stairways, were in the second half of 20th century used as a space for youth club. Minimalistic reconstruction that aimed to preservation of historic spirit of the place allowed archaeological excavations and architectonic research in order to get more detailed knowledge on the history of the object.
Pebble paving typical for medieval houses is original, as well as niches in the walls whose purpose is not clear up to now – it is possible that they can served as places for burners. In the corner of one of the rooms was found a space that reminds of a hiding place. Who was using it – and for what – remains a mystery.
