Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
TOP SIGHTS
MUNICIPAL HOUSE
OFFLINE MAP
Restored in the 1990s after decades of neglect, Prague's most exuberant and
sensual building is a labour of love, every detail of its design and decoration
carefully considered, every painting and sculpture loaded with symbolism. The
restaurant and cafe flanking the entrance are like walk-in museums of art-nou-
veau design; upstairs are half-a-dozen sumptuously decorated halls that you
can visit by guided tour (three to four tours per day).
History
The Municipal House stands on the site of the Royal Court, seat of Bohemia's kings
from 1383 to 1483 (when Vladislav II moved to Prague Castle), which was demol-
ished at the end of the 19th century. Between 1906 and 1912 this magnificent art-nou-
veau palace was built in its place - a lavish joint effort by around 30 leading artists of
the day, creating a cultural centre that was the architectural climax of the Czech Na-
tional Revival.
Entrance & Lobby
The mosaic above the entrance,
Homage to Prague
, is set between sculptures rep-
resenting the oppression and rebirth of the Czech people; other sculptures along the
top of the facade represent history, literature, painting, architecture and music. You
pass beneath a wrought-iron and stained-glass canopy into an interior that's art nou-
veau down to the doorknobs (you can look around the lobby and the downstairs bar
for free, or book a guided tour in the information centre).
Smetana Hall
First stop on the guided tour is Smetana Hall, Prague's biggest concert hall, with seat-
ing for 1200 ranged beneath an art-nouveau glass dome. The stage is framed by sculp-
tures representing the Vyšehrad legend (to the right) and Slavonic dances (to the left).
On 28 October 1918 an independent Czechoslovak Republic was declared in Smetana
Hall, and in November 1989 meetings took place here between the Civic Forum and
the Jakeš regime.
