Embassy of the Czech Republic, London facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Embassy of the Czech Republic in London |
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| Location | Holland Park, London |
| Address | 26-30 Kensington Palace Gardens, London, W8 4QY |
| Coordinates | 51°30′33.8″N 0°11′36.4″W / 51.509389°N 0.193444°W |
| Ambassador | Libor Secka |
The Embassy of the Czech Republic in London is the official home and office for the Czech Republic in the United Kingdom. Think of it as a special building where representatives from the Czech Republic work to keep a good relationship with the UK. They handle things like helping Czech citizens, issuing visas, and promoting trade and culture between the two countries. This embassy is located in a famous area of London called Kensington Palace Gardens, right where it meets Bayswater Road. It even shares its building with the Embassy of Slovakia.
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History of the Czech Embassy Building
From Czechoslovakia to Two Nations
Before 1993, the Czech Republic and Slovakia were one country called Czechoslovakia. The embassy for Czechoslovakia was first located on Grosvenor Place in London. Later, in 1970, it moved to its current spot.
A Special Building Design
The building where the embassy is now was specially built for the Czechoslovak embassy. Construction started in 1965. It was designed by a team of architects from Prague: Jan Bočan, Jan Šrámek, and Karel Štěpánský. They used a style called Brutalist architecture. This style often features strong, block-like shapes and raw concrete. Their design was so good that it won an award from the Royal Institute of British Architects! This award recognized it as the best building in the United Kingdom designed by architects from another country.
The Split and Sharing the Space
In 1993, Czechoslovakia peacefully separated into two independent countries: the Czech Republic and Slovakia. This event is known as the dissolution of Czechoslovakia. After the split, the large embassy building was divided. Now, it serves as the home for both the Embassy of the Czech Republic and the Embassy of Slovakia, symbolizing their shared history and close ties.
Images for kids
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The embassy building, shared by the Czech and Slovak Republics.
