Municipal House

Municipal House was constructed on the site of the former Royal Court Palace on Republic Square, next to the Powder Gate Tower, which marks the entrance to the Old Town.

Municipal House is a beautiful building from all aspects. Its facade of intricate stonework, stained glass windows and stunning frescos gleams with gold trimmings.

Inside Municipal House is a large concert hall, music salons, exhibition rooms, an elegant Czech restaurant, a beer hall restaurant, an American cocktail bar, and a traditional café.

The Smetana Hall is the main hall at Municipal House, and the grandest concert hall in Prague.

It is an architectural masterpiece of carved white stone with gold decorations, illuminated by hundreds of light bulbs. Magnificent frescos by Karel Spillar adorn the ceiling and walls.

From the foyer, a huge marble staircase leads concert ticket holders up to the Smetana Hall, only adding to one's anticipation of the event to come. Classical concerts in the Smetana can boast the largest orchestras to play the city.

Municipal House is the seat of the Prague Symphony Orchestra and Czech National Symphony Orchestra, who regularly perform orchestral concerts and symphony concerts here.

Equally, the Smetana is a beautiful setting for chamber orchestra concerts. Performers range from string quartets to orchestras accompanied by choirs, opera singers and ballet dancers.

All classical concerts listed on Prague Experience at Municipal House are staged in the Smetana Hall (not a minor salon) - view listings and book concert tickets.

Municipal House Restaurant is on the ground floor of the building, and offers graceful 1920s style fine dining. Huge windows run along one side of the restaurant, looking out over Republic Square.

Municipal House Beer Hall is a premium traditional Czech restaurant on the lower ground floor. It serves the finest local fare in a lively, beer hall style atmosphere.

Next to the Beer Hall is the swish Tretter's American Bar, which opened in 1912. Visitors will find the classic Art Nouveau bar ideal for a sophisticated pre-concert drink. Either sit at the bar or sink into a black leather armchair with your favourite drink in hand.

Back on the ground floor, the Municipal House Café (Kavárna Obecní dům) is a traditional café. It serves coffee, tea, hot chocolate and fresh pastries throughout the day.

Exhibitions are another draw of Municipal House. These are listed in Prague events.

Municipal House is a historically significant building for Czech people. On the 28th October 1918, the proclamation of the independent state of Czechoslovakia was announced from the balcony at Municipal House, to a large crowd gathered in the square below.

To explore the sights in Prague, take a Prague tour.