School History
Over 140 years of educational tradition in two historic buildings from the late 19th century. The school has served children from Libeň continuously since 1884.
Historical data verified
Zenklova Building
Zenklova 52/26 • Since 1884
About the building
Construction started: 10 September 1883
Completed: 13 October 1884
Grand opening: 1 November 1884
First day of teaching: 3 November 1884
The building was constructed as a large school for all of Libeň, Kobylisy and Prosek. Construction was financed by the local school board of the Libeň municipality, which took out a loan of 100,000 gulden (NPMK data).
The construction was carried out almost exclusively by local workers from Libeň and was situated in front of Libeň Château as the most suitable location in the municipality.
Original capacity: 22 classrooms - 11 for the boys' school (north wing) and 11 for the girls' school (south wing). Some classes had up to 100 pupils! (NPMK)
Historical curiosities
Construction financed by loan
The school board of the Libeň municipality took out a loan of 100,000 gulden for the construction.
Local workers
The construction was carried out almost exclusively by local workers from Libeň.
Timeline
10 September
13 October
1 November
3 November
Na Korábě Building
Na Korábě 2/350 • Since 1891
About the building
Construction started: 1890
Ground floor completed: 1891
Upper floor added: May 1905
Quadrangle enclosed: November 1908
The building was originally constructed as a single-storey elementary school for boys and girls (NPMK). In May 1905, an upper floor and cellars were added, creating separate civic schools.
In November 1908, further reconstruction enclosed the building into an irregular quadrangle (NPMK).
An interesting feature was the school chapel, which was converted into a lecture hall in 1920 (NPMK).
Historical curiosities
Serving 3 areas
The school served pupils from Libeň, Prosek and Kobylisy.
Overcrowded classes
Some classes had up to 100 pupils!
Timeline
May
November
Named after Bohumil Hrabal
Bohumil Hrabal (1914-1997)
The school received its honorary name after one of the most important Czech writers of the 20th century, who spent a significant part of his life in Libeň.
He lived in Libeň from 1950 to 1973 at Na hrázi 326/24 (the house was demolished during metro construction). A memorial wall by Tatiana Svatošová with a 5.5-metre portrait of the writer now stands on the site.
On 8 December 1956 he married Eliška Plevová at the Libeň Château, which still serves as a ceremonial hall to this day.
Works set in Libeň
Svatby v domě
1971
Něžný barbar
1973
Vita nuova
1987
Proluky
1986
Libeň - our neighbourhood
The first written mention of Libeň dates from 1363. In 1898 it was elevated to a town, and on 12 September 1901 it was incorporated into Prague as its 8th district.
In the 19th century, Libeň transformed from a romantic wine-growing landscape into an industrial centre. Textile factories (the Perutz brothers), engineering works (ČKD), and in 1907 the Praga car factory were established here. Libeň also had the second largest Jewish community in Prague after Josefov.
Peace of Libeň (1608)
On 25 June 1608, a peace treaty was signed at Libeň Château between Rudolf II and his brother Matthias.
Assassination of Heydrich (1942)
On 27 May 1942, the assassination took place at the intersection of V Holešovičkách and Zenklova streets.
Memorial plaque - Jindřiška Nováková
A memorial plaque on the Zenklova building is dedicated to Jindřiška Nováková, a former pupil of the school.
Studies: 1938-1942
Activity: Assisting members of Operation Anthropoid (assassination of Heydrich)
Executed: 1942 at Mauthausen concentration camp
Source: NPMK (National Pedagogical Museum and Library)
Historical data sources
NPMK
National Pedagogical Museum and Library of J. A. Comenius
Wikipedia
Articles about Libeň and Bohumil Hrabal
School archive
Historical documents and photographs