Municipal House (Obecní dům) in Prague is the city's foremost Art Nouveau building, and one of the finest in Europe. Municipal House contains a magnificent complex of rooms, including the grandest concert hall in Prague, an elegant French restaurant, a Czech beer hall style restaurant, a traditional café, the first American bar in the Czech Republic, and various salons and exhibition rooms. It is a beautiful building from all aspects. Its exterior gleams with intricate stonework, gold trimmings, frescos and stained glass windows. Inside, a marble staircase leads to the huge Smetana Concert Hall, which is an architectural masterpiece; a mix of carved white stone and gold, illuminated by hundreds of lights. Frescos by Karel Spillar adorn the walls. Classical concerts in the Smetana boast the largest orchestras to play the city. Indeed Municipal House is home to the Czech National Symphony Orchestra. All Municipal House concerts listed on Prague Experience are held in the Smetana Concert Hall, not one of the minor salons. For listings and tickets: Prague concerts.
Municipal House opened in 1912, having been constructed on the site of the former Royal Court Palace. It gained fame on the 28th October 1918, when the historic proclamation of the independent state of Czechoslovakia took place here. The building is the main attraction on Republic Square. It stands next to the Powder Tower, one of the original entrances to the Old Town. The Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square are just a few minutes walk away. The first-class Francouzska Restaurant on the ground floor of Municipal House is a delightful place to enjoy French cuisine. Plzenska Restaurant, situated on the lower level, serves traditional Czech fare in a lively beer hall atmosphere. Next to Plzenska Restaurant is the swish American Bar, a fine place for a pre-concert or pre-dinner drink. It offers a range of cocktails, spirits, beers, wines and sparkling wines. And to enjoy a coffee and a delicious cake, Municipal House has a traditional café. Finally, Municipal House hosts exhibitions, which you will find listed in Prague events. To discover more about Municipal House and other great buildings, take a Prague tour: Prague Grand City Sightseeing Tour Prague Grand City Sightseeing Tour & Boat Prague All Inclusive Walking Tour & Boat Prague Old Town & Jewish Quarter Tour. |