Visit Villa Tugendhat to discover a marvellous example of the functionalist architecture movement that hit Brno during the 1920s. Explore contemporary-designed rooms, admire displays of period furniture and wander around a pristine garden. Villa Tugendhat is the former home of Grete and Fritz Tugendhat, two heirs to industrial fortunes. In 1927, they commissioned German architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe to build the villa, which today is internationally famous for its designs.
During World War II, the villa was held under German occupation and damaged by a neighbourhood bomb explosion. It later operated as a children’s hospital before being restored to its original glory. Today, the only way to see the villa’s interior is on a pre-booked tour.
The entrance is at street level and leads to the villa’s uppermost floor. See inside bedrooms decorated with replicas of the Tugendhat family’s original furniture. Note the windows that open entirely to allow air to flow inside. Walk out onto the balcony, which offers views over the garden and Brno’s rooftops.
Walk down the staircase to the main living area, located on the middle floor. Check out the music corner, winter garden and large bookcase. From here, steps lead down to a garden of grassy lawns, tall trees and pathways. Go to the ground floor and look inside a room with a cooling and heating system similar to that of a ship.
Time your visit to coincide with a busy schedule of cultural events. Listen to talks by respected architects and watch movie screenings. Attend concerts that range from classical music to tango, among other genres. There are also educational programmes for children and students.
Reach the villa in about a 10-minute drive or a 25-minute walk from the centre of Brno’s Old Town. Public buses and trams stop a short walk from the villa’s entrance.
The villa is open from Tuesday to Sunday. Villa Tugendhat’s official website recommends booking a tour 2 months in advance. Tickets are available online. If you aren’t able to book a tour, you can still pay to visit the garden, from where you can peek inside the villa’s main floor.
