The Villa Tugendhat is a masterpiece of the German architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe.
Built in 1930 in Brno, in today's Czech Republic, for Fritz Tugendhat and his wife Alfreda, the villa soon became an icon of the modern architecture.
Its shapes are inspired and influenced by cubism. Ludwig Mies van der Rohe used the revolutionary iron framework and arranged the interior in order to achieve a feeling of space and light. He also designed all furniture, as well as a captivating Onyx wall.
The Tugendhats (who were Jews) left Czechoslovakia in late 1930s, because the country was invaded by Nazi-Germany and never returned. The house was used as a stable and a nursing home for several decades after World War II.
In 1992, the political leaders of Czechoslovakia met there to confer about the splitting-up of the country. Nowadays the building is accessible for the public.
Villa Tugendhat was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2002.
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Last updated: 10-15-2005 07:59:46
