The iconic honey-colored onyx wall in the living room is translucent and changes color when hit by the setting sun.
Mies van der Rohe designed the custom furniture for the house, including the famous Tugendhat chair.
The house cost approximately five million Czechoslovak koruna to build in 1930, a sum sufficient to build 30 standard homes at the time.
The structural steel frame allowed for a wall-free interior layout, which was revolutionary for residential architecture in the 1920s.
The family fled the house in 1938 due to their Jewish heritage and never returned to live there permanently.
A secret underground darkroom was discovered during the 2010 restoration, used by Nazi photographers during the occupation.
The house features a sophisticated ventilation system that filters air through wood shavings soaked in oil.
The onyx slab was nearly sold for its stone value by the Soviet occupiers before its significance was realized.
Villa Tugendhat is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a landmark of modern architecture designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. Completed in 1930 for Greta and Fritz Tugendhat, the house pioneered the open-plan design and integrated indoor-outdoor living. It features a facade of floor-to-ceiling retractable glass walls that disappear into the floor. The interior utilizes luxurious materials including onyx, travertine, and tropical woods like macassar ebony. The house is noted for its early implementation of an advanced climate control system and central heating. During World War II, the property was confiscated by the Gestapo and later repurposed by the Soviet army. It underwent a comprehensive restoration between 2010 and 2012 to return the interior to its original state. The property functions as a house museum with guided tours focusing on the history of the Tugendhat family and the architectural significance of the structure.
The garden terrace looking back toward the glass facade of the main living space.
Book tickets several months in advance, as capacity is strictly limited and tours sell out quickly.
Choose the extended tour if available to access technical areas like the machinery room and the master bedroom.
Take time to walk through the garden, which provides the best vantage point for viewing the house's exterior volumes.
Do not attempt to visit without a pre-booked reservation, as walk-ins are not permitted.
Closed on Mondays throughout the year.
Strict no-photo policy for interiors without a permit; protective felt overshoes are provided and must be worn inside.
