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 modern Czech restaurant, a Czech beer hall style restaurant, a traditional café, the first American bar in the Czech Republic, and a variety of 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 Hall 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 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 Municipal House building is the main attraction on Republic Square. Next to it is the Powder Tower, one of the original entrances to the Old Town. The first-class Municipal House Restaurant on the ground floor of the building is a delightful place to enjoy fine dining. 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, ideal for a pre-concert or pre-dinner drink. The bar serves cocktails, spirits, beers, wines and sparkling wines. To enjoy a coffee and a delicious cake, Municipal House also has a traditional café. Finally, Municipal House hosts exhibitions, which are 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 Tour & Boat Trip Old Town & Jewish Quarter Tour. |