Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
notice the Neo-Renaissance
UniCredit Bank
(formerly Živnostenská
Banka, Prague's oldest banking institution) building on the corner of
Nekázanka. It houses a modern bank with classy circa-1900 ambience
(enter and peek into the main hall upstairs).
Consider a several-block detour down Nekázanka to visit another
of Prague's Art Nouveau buildings—the Jerusalem Synagogue.
Follow Nekázanka to Jindřišská street, turn left, then turn right onto
Jeruzalémská street. About halfway down on your left is the...
Jerusalem Synagogue (Jeruzalémské Synagóga)
—T h is
colorful synagogue, also known as the Jubilee Synagogue, is a
fascinating combination of Moorish Renaissance and Viennese
Art Nouveau styles. It was built from 1905-1906 in commemo-
ration of the first 50 years of Franz Josef 's liberal rule. Recently
restored, still serving the Prague Jewish community, and sparsely
visited, this is the most contemplative as well as visually stunning
of Prague's synagogues (200-Kč admission includes entry to Old-
New Synagogue in the Jewish Quarter—see page 73, April-Oct
Sun-Fri 13:00-17:00, closed Sat, closed in winter and on Jewish
holidays, between Powder Tower and Main Train Station at
Jeruzalémská 7, tel. 222-319-002).
• Return to Jindřišská street and go left, passing the Jindřišská gate,
then take a right on Senovážná street, which leads you to the...
ss
Municipal House (Obecní Dům)
—he Municipal House is
the “pearl of Czech Art Nouveau.” Financed by cultural and artis-
tic leaders, it was built (1905-1911) as
a ceremonial palace to reinforce the
self-awareness of the Czech nation.
It features Prague's largest concert
hall, a recommended Art Nouveau
café (Kavárna Obecní Dům, see page
134), and two other restaurants. Pop
in and wander around the lobby of
the concert hall. Walk through to
the ticket office on the ground floor.
For the best look, including impres-
sive halls and murals you won't see
otherwise, take one of the regular
hour-long
tours
(open daily 10:00-18:00; tours—150 Kč; generally
at 10:15, 12:00, 14:00, and 16:00; in English 2/day, buy ticket from
ground-floor shop where tour departs; tel. 222-002-101).
Standing in front of the Municipal House, you can sur-
vey four different styles of architecture. First, enjoy the colorful
facade of the Municipal House itself—a mixture of Neo-Baroque
and Art Nouveau. Featuring a goddess-like Praha presiding over
a land of peace and high culture, the
Homage to Prague
mosaic on
the building's striking facade stoked cultural pride and nationalist
