Josef Hlávka, photo: Martina Schneibergová
Architect, builder, politician and the greatest Czech philanthropist Josef Hlávka was born on February 15, 1939.The foundation he established in support of education, science and art is active to this day.
Josef Hlávka was born in the small town of Přeštice near Plzeň and studied architecture, graduating from the Technical University in Prague as well as from the famous Academy of Plastic Arts in Vienna.
He started out as a mason’s apprentice, learning the bricklaying craft in the firm of a Viennese builder of Czech origin, František Šebek. When the owner retired, he handed his prospering firm over to Hlávka for free. The company flourished and Hlávka soon became a respected and wealthy businessman.