Kafka rented a flat in the Schönborn Palace (notable for its carved 17th century caryatids) in March 1917. One night there in August 1917 he suffered a hemorrhage, later diagnosed as having been caused by tuberculosis. Despite several years of treatment, sick leaves, and early retirement, Kafka died of TB in 1924.

Nobody lives in the Schönborn Palace anymore, as it now houses the U.S. embassy. Access to the building isn't easy. Police check all cars coming up the street that leads to the embassy, embassy guards carefully search all visitors to the building, while soldiers in military fatigues guard the grounds in back.

The historic lekarna (pharmacy) shown is located on Neruda Street, a couple of streets over from the palace.