bg Karlovy Vary

Savings Bank

- Divadelní Náměstí 1 -
The building of the Savings Bank, also known by the German name the Sparkasse, was constructed with residential, commercial and administrative premises between 1904 and 1906 as a four-story corner building. It was built on the plot where the Ananas house used to stand, which was demolished in 1903. The construction was executed according to the design of the Karlovy Vary architect and engineer Otto Stainl, whose design was submitted in September 1903 and subsequently approved. The building was built under the supervision of city builder . The grand opening of the newly constructed building was held on 26 April 1906. After the demolition of the neighboring Franconia house, in 1924, the building of the bank building was expanded to its present form by adding a wing in its place.
The building during its construction
On top of the part of the Art Nouveau building, a majestic dome can be admired topped with a that's beautifully decorated with whiplash lines and serpents. At the base of the dome, which itself is embellished with and , among other things, you'll be able to see two sculptural compositions depicting angels, , and birds. Two statues depicting a female and male figure are seated in the large open , which, like the roof , is adorned with . Within the pediment, you can also admire an that's surrounded by , a with a garland wreath in its midst, ornamental trees, and another mascaron. These ornamentation are also abundantly used to decorate other parts of the building, but also other kinds of floral decoration, as well as , lion head , and . You can also admire statues of owls, symbolizing wisdom, and beehives that symbolize frugality, as well as two frog head protomes on which a torch is placed. Underneath the third floor windows, you can see a with incorporated , one of which is supported by two .
The building is shown in an old postcard