Jablonec nad Nisou will commemorate architect Robert Hemmrich with a memorial plaque

Jablonec nad Nisou – Jablonec nad Nisou will commemorate local native, architect Robert Hemmrich, with a memorial plaque. This year marks the 150th anniversary of his birth and the 75th anniversary of his death. Hemmrich is associated with numerous buildings not only in Jablonec, where the municipal baths are among the more well-known, but he also designed lookout towers in the Jizera Mountains. According to his design, the building that now houses the elementary art school was constructed, and a memorial plaque will be unveiled for the architect on Friday there. This was stated today by the spokesperson of the city hall, Jana Fričová.

Robert Hemmrich (May 1, 1871 – April 15, 1946) was a prominent architect of the first half of the 20th century. He worked in a style that initially featured floral elements and later geometric Art Nouveau. Practically his entire life was tied to Jablonec, where he had a studio and construction office. He is the author of a considerable number of buildings ranging from family houses and luxurious villas to urban apartment buildings, schools, gymnasiums, baths, and industrial complexes. Among other works, he is the author of the Art Nouveau Hotel Praha in Liberec and the municipal baths in Nové Město pod Smrkem.

"The house on Podhorské Street was designed by architect Hemmrich in 1924. Because it houses an elementary art school, it remains publicly accessible," added the head of the mayor's office, Jana Matěchová. The memorial plaque was created by the artist and curator of the City Gallery MY, Jan Strnad. The bronze plaque bears an inscription in Czech and German: "Robert Hemmrich, architect, who significantly influenced the appearance of his hometown. Public and production buildings, municipal baths, residential and export houses and villas were built according to his designs. He became the creator of lookout towers and many other buildings in the Jizera Mountains region."

The unveiling of the memorial plaque for Hemmrich, along with a subsequent ceremonial concert, will culminate a series of programs dedicated to the 150th anniversary of the birth of both renowned architects, Jablonec natives Robert Hemmrich and Josef Zasche. Zasche has had a memorial plaque since 1999 on the southern side of the Church of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus in Jablonec's Upper Square. On Saturday, there will then be a program for European Heritage Day, during which interested parties will have the final opportunity to view the exhibition at the City Gallery My dedicated to both architects and their buildings.