Municipal House
From Prague-wiki
The Municipal House (Obecní dům in Czech) is a splendid representative building from the beginning of the 20th century, standing on Náměstí republiky, next to the Powder Tower. It serves mainly as a concert and exhibitioin hall.
In 1383, a palace called King's Court was founded here by King Wenceslas IV. The kings of Bohemia used this complex as their seat till the end of the 15th century. The building then changed to a theologian seminary and had various other functions throughout the centuries, until it was demolished in 1903.
It was planned to build a new, modern building for Czech cultural events as a counterbalance to the near German House. Around 1900, the building was commissioned by the city on an odd-shaped lot and the subject of one architectural competition, then another, both unsatisfactory. The job was then simply given to architects Osvald Polívka and Antonín Balšánek, who served as much as artistic coordinators as designers. It took 6 years to build the Municipal House, from 1905 to 1911, and it was finally opened in 1912. The Municipal House was a place for concerts, exhibitions, conferences, festivities, balls and similar events.
The Municipal House is a mixture of several architectural styles: neo-Renaissance, neo-Baroque and especially Art Nouveau. It was a very modern and technologically advanced building at the time it was completed.
There is a mosaic above the decorative entrance, called Prague Apotheosis. The inscription above reads “Resist the time wrath, Prague, as you resisted all the thunders!” There are allegorical sculptures representing the nation at the sides, and a balcony is situated under the mosaic.
You can visit a café inside, a French restaurant, a wine-house, an American bar or a Pilsener restaurant. Billiard and card games can be played in the mezzanine.
Smetana Hall in the first floor is the most important hall of the Municipal House. It is the main place of work of the Prague Symphony Orchestra. The most important concerts of the classical music festival Prague Spring take place there. There are many other halls with splendid decorations, mostly called after important politicians, such as the Rieger Hall or the Palacky Hall. The Mayor Hall is decorated with paintings on Slavonic themes by Alfons Mucha. The Conductor Apartment intended for the most important visitors of Prague has a unique view on the Prague Castle panorama. You can visit these halls and salons only with a guide.
