Lucerna Palace
The Lucerna Palace is the first arcade building in Prague and an important centre of cultural, business and social events. This multifunctional centre is located in the middle of Wenceslas Square in Vodičkova Street. It was built on the site of the former Bělský Palace and the adjacent house between 1907-1911 and designed by project architect Václav Havel and partially also by builder Josef Čamský. The complex houses the Lucerna Music Bar with a capacity of 800 people, which has been in operation for 22 years and regularly hosts popular music stars on its circular stage. Since 2000, 80’s & 90‘s video parties have been regularly taking place in the bar every Friday. The most famous part of the Lucerna Palace is the Great Hall, where balls and concerts are held. There is also the Lucerna Cinema, one of the oldest cinemas still in operation in the world. It also features a stylish café where premiers of Czech films take place. On the ground floor is another multifunctional space – the Lucerna Gallery, where exhibitions, chamber concerts, photo vernissages and other events take place. The building is decorated with a controversial adaptation of the statue of St Wenceslas on Wenceslas Square, featuring St Wenceslas riding an upside-down dead horse. The statue was created by artist David Černý.
Useful information for visitors
Public transport connections
Muzeum bus stop, tram stop, metro station (green, red line)
Ve Smečkách bus stop
Opening hours and admission
The Lucerna Palace is freely accessible to the public. For information about particular institutions, programme and admission fees, visit the official website.
Interesting facts about Lucerna Palace
Although there are many Art Nouveau elements in the Lucerna Palace, modern materials and methods, such as reinforced concrete, glass brick ceilings and big glass surfaces, were also used in its construction. Later, the building was extended and connected with the neighbouring house, thus creating a passage from Vodičkova Street to Štěpánská Street.
Lucerna Great Hall
Many balls and concerts mostly of modern music takes place in Lucerna Great Hall. Hall consists of three underground floors. Capacity of concerts is 2500 people while standing or 1500 people with seats. Size of dancing floor is 15×30 meters.
