Credit Union (Záložna) (1936)

An elegant building in the heart of České Budějovice

Description

The clearly modern facade is located in U Černé věže Street. The large windows determine the shape and rhythm of the house. The entrance to the bank with a relief by Josef Kaplický is also located on this east side of the house. The relief shows various social groups and bank employees. 
The south side of the bank is facing the city's main market. Since the Club for Old České Budějovice rejected an overly modern facade at this location, smaller windows were installed and arcades, which are typical for České Budějovice, had to be designed. On the contrary, arcades were never built for any of the other modernist houses from the 1920s and 1930s in the city. Thus, this house can be regarded as a part of the local architectural tradition. 
The interior of the building was designed as a hall. The reinforced concrete construction made it possible that the hall reaches up to the first floor without the need for pillars. The rooms are very brightly lit by the large windows. The marmor cladding makes the counter hall to appear very elegant. In the entrance area is located a stained glass window from the year of inauguration, on which three figures are depicted as attributes of banking and customers, and the name of the original bank can still be read (Českobudějovická záložna).

History

The previous building was only rebuilt in 1907/08. The plans for the new building date from 1934 and were realised in 1936. As the Club for Old České Budějovice insisted that the market side of the building should not disturb the tradionale character of the city centre, a building was designed with different facades. Today the building is used by the Savings Bank.

Sources

• NPÚ Záložna-spořitelna
• Putování městem České Budějovice, Vol. 4, 2022