Last Updated on July 28, 2023 by
When I heard about MOOo by the Castle, a former 16th-century alchemist home in Prague, I knew I had to stay there. What a better way to experiencing and celebrating the city’s mystical past than staying in one of its most important historical residences. In this blog, you will find more about our experience and all the information you need to book your stay at MOOo by the Castle.
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MOOo by the Castle a true hidden gem of Prague
With its close proximity to the Prague Castle and at just 10 minutes from Charles Bridge, MOOo by the Castle is the perfect location for exploring the city. Nevertheless, its central location it’s not the main reason one should stay here. In fact, MOOo By the Castle happens to be Prague’s historical residence of the famous alchemist Edward Kelley. If you are into Prague mystical history, you can’t certainly miss the opportunity to stay in this beautiful hidden gem!
Moreover, the entire residence has been renovated. Now you can stay in one of the 14 luxury apartments, but let’s discover more about it!
A 16th-century alchemist residence. History of MOOo by the Castle
The story of this incredible accommodation in Prague starts in 1546. The building was just finished and it was known with the name “Dům u osla v kolébce” meaning “The house at the Donkey in the Cradle”. Initially, the house was attached by a connecting gallery to the nearby Velíkovský house (today’s No. 244 / III). Later, probably still in the Renaissance, the north section of the house was extended by a narrower two-wing section with a circular staircase in the courtyard. After 1600, together with No. 311 / III, these buildings were separated from the Velíkovského house. The “House at the Donkey in the Cradle” became a separate residence and all the connecting galleries were walled. Descriptions from 1700-1750 depict the house as a two-storey building with a large courtyard, Renaissance cellars and a mausoleum. Moreover, the residence had also stables for 15 horses.
A partial Baroque reconstruction happened between the late 17th-18th centuries. However, this didn’t modify the original Renaissance construction that is still visible today.
Edward Kelley’s Prague residence
In 1583-84 the famous alchemist Edward Kelley, who was known for his abilities to “speak to the Angels” and turning lead into gold, left England with his family and his friend John Dee. He arrived at the court of Rudolf II in Prague and attracted much attention. While searching for patronage, he bought the House at the Donkey in the Cradle and made additional extensions. One of these is the Kelley Tower, one of the most iconic sections of the residence.
Kelley Tower
Kelley Tower was built around 1589-1590 when the alchemist bought the building. It is claimed that this tower used to be the original place where Kelley use to practice his esoteric experiments.
In fact, the tower includes a beautiful and unique wooden staircase. This is one of the oldest in Prague. Moreover, at the second floor of the tower you will find Edward Kelley’s laboratory. For many years, this place was inaccessible. However, since 2018 you can visit it throughout the Museum of Alchemists that is based on the ground floor of the building.
Luxury Apartments
Today, the former Edward Kelley residence is completely renovated. In fact, it is an exclusive location for 14 Apartments and Suites managed by MOOo Apartments. There are one, two and three bedroom apartments renewed according to a modern and luxurious style. Each apartment includes a comfortable living room and an equipped kitchen, tea and coffee facilities, minibar and Panasonic smart TV. Moreover, you will find also a free high-speed Wi-Fi, an equipped bathroom and a safe space for valuables.
One of the things I loved more about MOOo Apartments was the non-invasive architectural renovation. In fact, it’s clear that the building has been carefully renovated with high quality finishing and furnitures. However, the historical values has not been lost. In fact, the most important and old features still remain intact and perfectly integrated with the modern and luxury elements. In this regard, the maintenance of the beautiful Renaissance floral ceiling was one of my favourite things! I could stay hours contemplating the beautiful 16th-century design.
Art promotion at MOOo by the Castle
One of the thing I liked more of MOOo by the Castle is its promotion of artistic movements. In fact, exhibited all over the apartments there are more than 35 cow paintings of the artist Paolo Tinari. Moreover, if you head into the 16th-century courtyard, you will find some beautiful sculptures of the Czech artist Michal Trpák.
Services
MOoo by the Castle offers different services to its residents. Among these, breakfast on request, concierge service, luggage storage and reception with phone call assistance.
Location
MOoo by the Castle is located at Jánský vršek 8 in the neighbourhood of Malá Strana. Being situated in the heart of Prague the location is ideal to explore the most important city’s attractions.
Nearest Attractions
It’s amazing to wake up in the morning and don’t need to take any public transport. This because your accommodation is in the heart of the city you are exploring! In fact, MOOo by the Castle is just at 8 minutes walk from the Prague Castle, 10 minutes walk from Charles Bridge and less than 20 minutes walk from Old Town Square. While there, you shouldn’t miss the opportunity to visit also the Museum of Alchemists!
Moreover, the neighbourhood of Malá Strana is rich of traditional places where to have a delicious dinner! One of the places you must try nearby is the Restaurace U Mecenáše. This is one of the most unique places in Prague preserving its Gothic cellars.
Our experience at MOOo by the Castle
The Check-in
Our check-in experience was very smooth. We arrived a bit earlier so our room wasn’t ready yet (but we expected this). So, we left our luggage at the reception and returned in the afternoon. The receptionist was very kind and when we returned our luggage was already in our room. Moreover, the nice lady went a step further for us. In fact, she helped us to carry the stroller up to the room. The 16th-century staircase was laughing at me when I tried to go up with two babies and two strollers!
Anyway, she explained everything about our room and left us for the night. You’ll receive keys to open several doors. We found also a very warm welcome in the room (indeed in a few days after our stay it was my birthday).
To note. MOoo by the Castle is a private residence so there is not a 24th-reception. However, the reception is open all day at normal working hours. If you need something, there is always an emergency number you can call.
Our Apartment
We stayed in the Apartment N. 14. This is located in the right corner of the second floor. Our apartment was a one bedroom apartment that was adapted to host also our babies. In fact, ready for us there was a cot in our bedroom. Moreover, there was also a sofa bed that was prepared in the living room.
The apartment was very comfortable and spacious for all of us. Moreover, I appreciated the ease in which the sofa-bed was able to close and transform into a simple sofa. In fact, we closed it to give milk to our twins. They have a pretty standard night routine. This is milk on the sofa and then go to bed. It was very easy for us to follow it at MOOo by the Castle and feel like at home.
Moreover, after a day exploring Prague we took advantage of our spacious living room to order food. This has been delivered easily thanks to the fact the apartments are located on a historical building well marked on google maps.
Our bed was really comfortable and we couldn’t ask a better night sleep!
Being an apartment and not an hotel, you won’t find breakfast. We ordered something to eat via Bolt Food in the early morning. I know there is an option to request breakfast. However, when we asked the lady said we could order it from a place nearby. So, I supposed this option wasn’t available that day. Is worthy to ask again if you are staying at MOOo by the Castle. In fact, because of the pandemic many services has been affected, but they might return in better times.
The bonus thing that makes you say “I love this place”
It doesn’t happen often, but there are places that have little things like a book, a picture on the wall or a hidden room that make me say “oh gosh! I love this place!!”. I found one of those things at MOOo by the Castle! I’m not sure if the other rooms have it (I suppose they do), but our room had a little bookshelf. This was displaying a very limited number of titles but all of them very nice. There were books about sightseeing in Prague, the history of the city and one (my favourite) about Prague’s myths and legends!
Thanks MOOo by the Castle for placing this book in this room! You made a historian happy! In fact, I had some little relaxing moments when the babies (finally) went to sleep and I could have some time to read this lovely book. I know they sell copy of it at the Museum of the Alchemists, if you want one. Unfortunately, I couldn’t take my copy as my luggage was full of baby stuff. Maybe next time!
Want to know more about Czech culture? Read this guide here.
Conclusions
We really loved our stay at MOOo by the Castle. It is for sure one of the most iconic places where one can stay in Prague. The connection with Prague’s mystical and historical past can make your trip even more special.
MOOo by the Castle info
Address: MOOo by the Castle
Jansky Vrsek 8
110 00 Prague 1, Czech Republic
Tel: +420 277 016 830
+420 778 451 841
Email: castle@mooo-apartments.com
Website: MOOo by the Castle
Disclaimer: Our stay has been hosted by MOOo by the Castle. However, all the opinions about this stay are my own.
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