“What’s that building at the top of one of the hills over river Vltava?”, you might be asking. The bizarre architecture, obviously not made by any local creative teams; the unusual architectural details, the dominant form of the object and the courageous choice of location – it’s Drákulov!

Nowadays, the building with the alternative name Drákulov, which is interesting mainly from the outside, serves as a Financial Office for Prague 8. It is very easy to get to see the spot. It’s right at the Hercovka tram stop. Despite it being visible from a large distance and being the tallest building around, people really stop me in the street and ask how to get there. Something strange has to be in the air.

Drákulov was built in 1974. Five years later, the second part of the complex was added. The visual result could evoke the ruins of an old castle. Jovan Jovanović, a Yugoslavian architect, created an implementation with foreign influences in Prague. Shading panels and concrete pillars in front of the facade are logically more useful in Mediterranean countries than in central Europe.

The Financial Office was massively reconstructed in 2017. The new lighter color eliminates its dominance. Drákulov blends with the sky. Before the change, it had a desert yellow-colored facade with dark brown windows.

You can observe the building from each side. There is a grassy park for dogs with benches and a nice playground nearby if you’d like some rest.

Don’t forget to enjoy the beautiful view of the city.