History of Vinohrady
Ametyst Hotel Prague is located in a place with a very rich history. It is called "Královské Vinohrady" (The King´s Vineyard) and its name comes from the 14th century, when King Charles IV. founded a large vineyard here. The vineyard was placed behind the city walls and prospered very well for several centuries. The vineyard started to decline in 1848, when many homesteads and summerhouses were developed.
In 1849 all these settlements coalesced together and Královské Vinohrady was established. In 1866 the pulling down of the city walls started and just a year later the Emperor awarded Vinohrady an official name: Královská Vinohradská obec (The King´s Vineyards Municipality). In 1875 the Municipality split into two parts and two years later one of these parts became Žižkov. Královské Vinohrady reached the height of its fame in 1879 when, with 9000 inhabitants, it was given the status of a city. Its area was much more considerable than it is today and the Emperor granted the right to use the town coat of arms. In 1922 were Královské Vinohrady connected to the main city of Prague.
Královské Vinohrady is by now retrieving its old glory, with most of its houses having been returned to their previous owners and reconstructed. Many of the districts original trades and businesses have been livened up and many new ones are arriving. The flair of the prestigious Královské Vinohrady quarter, created long ago and capable of much blossoming, is back.
On the left side from hotel´s entrance you'll find a functioning vineyard in park Havlíčkovy sady. Meander its many walkways and stroll past the beautiful Villa Gröbe (Grébovka). This wonderful example of Neo-Renaissance architecture was built as a luxury summer house for industrialist Moritz Gröbe between 1871 to 1888. Before you leave, be sure to enjoy a glass of wine in the park's gazebo. From this high vantage point you can overlook Prague's city skyline in an area not known to most tourists.
