Josef Niklas (11 March 1817 â 10 October 1877) was a Czech architect, builder and pedagogue. In 1873âÂÂ1874, he was the rector of the Czech Technical University in Prague.
Josef Niklas was born on 11 March 1817 in VolynÃÂ. He graduated from a primary school in ÃÂeský Krumlov and from the Polytechnic Institute in Prague. In 1836âÂÂ1840, he was employed by the Prague builder Jindà Âich Fencl, then in 1841âÂÂ1845, he worked for Leopold Mayer. In 1845, he travelled around Europe to study various architectural styles. He then returned to Prague and devoted himself to industrial drawings and private buildings according to his own designs.
From 1849, he was an assistant at the Czech Technical University in Prague (ÃÂVUT). From 1850, he taught at a real school in Prague 2. In 1864, he became a professor at the ÃÂVUT, where he was also the Test Commissioner for Civil Surveyors. In 1873âÂÂ1874, he was the rector of the ÃÂVUT.
Niklas died in Prague on 10 October 1877, aged 60.
Niklas preferred the neo-Gothic style in his work. His quality work was considered New Town Theatre in Prague (1857âÂÂ1858), however, it was demolished in 1886. Among Niklas' notable works are the neo-Gothic reconstructions of the Dub Castle in Dub (1854âÂÂ1860), Jetà Âichovice Castle in Sedlec-PrÃÂice (1857âÂÂ1859) and Skà Âivany Castle in Skà Âivany (1867âÂÂ1868). The main part of his work was the construction of many private houses in Prague. His last work was provostship in Prague-Vyà ¡ehrad (1874).
A valuable work of Niklas is the Old Town Hall in Tábor, which is protected as a national cultural monument. It was restored to its late Gothic appearance according to the plans of Josef Niklas in 1878, shortly after his death.
Niklas is also the author of the Chapel of the Holy Guardian Angel (1858) in his native VolynÃÂ, the project of which he developed for the town free of charge.
In 2017, Niklas was posthumously awarded Honorary Citizenship of the Town of VolynÃÂ.