Josef Hlavka was an architect, builder, and the greatest Czech philanthropists of the ages. Hlavka constructed  a beneficial  foundation for young Czech citizens in support of art, education, and science. In one of the rarest  instances, Josef Hlavka was the only man in Czech history  who left  his whole wealth to charity to help preserve the foundation he created.

Hlavka was born in the town of Prestice in 1831 into the family of normal, hard -working workers. Josef was fortunate to have a splendid education, which was provided by his parents because they realized he was a very intelligent child. He graduated from the Academy of Plastic Arts in Vienna and the great Technical University in Prague. The actions and measures his parents took to provide him with quality studies did not go unnoticed by Josef, for he was very, very, grateful.

Frantisek Sebek, owner of a bricklaying firm, taught Hlavka the trade of bricklaying. Sebek was extremely impressed by Hlavka's work ethic and when he retired he handed his established firm over to Hlavka. The young and determined Hlavka did not let his former boss down and made the company prosper. Since the company was on an astonishing path of success, Josef Hlavka quickly became a businessman that was well-respected.

Unluckily, most of Prague isn't filled with buildings that have Hlavka's style because most of his architectural work plans were devised in neighbouring Austria. Although, the most impressive building with Hlavka's touch here in Prague is the neo-gothic maternity hospital, which is still productive today. In this finely, crafted building almost one million babies have been born in there.

The constant hard work after a decade eventually took a strain on Hlavka's health and the sickness left his legs paralyzed. However, even though an enormous obstacle had come upon him, he started renovating buildings and started working harder than when he wasn't immobile. During those sick times he became engaged in charity for others. Josef gradually recovered many years later and still was vigorously interested in helping Czech artists and scientists. Hlavka had his hand in establishing the important life-transforming Czech Academy of Science, Letters, and Arts in Prague. Josef Hlavka devoted himself to more activities than many will ever know.

 "Hlavka was very interested in educating the new generation. This was why he founded the so-called Hlavka foundation to help poor students. Students were provided not only with accommodation, but also food. It was modest food, but they were provided for. And they could concentrate on their studies. But there was a condition: the students had to have excellent results and they had to be Christians."

The most amazing part about Josef Hlavka, was that on his death bed he gave his entire fortune to his charity. Hlavka's wondrous foundation, which was upheld by the names of his two wives that died, Marie and Zdenka, incredibly continued to survive the drastic fall of the Austro- Hungarian Empire, the Communist rule, and the deadly Nazi occupation.

The extraordinary Hlavka foundation is operating to this day and it's existence continues to reward good students, give scholarships, and contributes to the publishing of text books to give students a deserving education. One of the main drives behind the foundation is keeping Josef Hlavka's name alive, which will hopefully be spread and remembered by those who were benefited by him.

Many do not realize who Hlavka even was, but after you read all the acomplishments he has done, hopefully you will see he was a mountainous impact in the aspect of Czech Cultural History.