Municipal House
The Municipal House is one of Prague’s foremost Art Nouveau buildings and a dominant feature of the Republic Square. It was built between 1905 and 1912 next to the Gothic Powder Tower, on the site of the former medieval residence of Czech rulers, which was the starting point of coronation processions to Prague Castle. Based on the winning designs of architects Antonín Balšánek and Osvald Polívka, it was conceived as a representative, exhibition, concert, restaurant and business space. The Municipal House has a richly decorated façade with allegorical scenes from Czech history. A great number of Czech artists, including Mikoláš Aleš, Josef Václav Myslbek and Alfons Mucha, worked on its decoration. Today, concerts, balls and social events are held in the Municipal House. On 28 October, 1918, an independent Czechoslovakia was declared there. In November 1989, it was also the scene for the first meeting between the Communist government and the representatives of the Civic Forum headed by Václav Havel.
Useful information for visitors
Public transport connections
Masarykovo nádraží bus stop, tram stop
Opening hours and admission
The Municipal House can be visited on a guided tour. For up-to-date information about admission fees and opening hours, click here.
In addition, the Municipal House organizes concerts and exhibitions. For more information, click here.
Interesting facts about Municipal House
There are several richly decorated halls (Rieger Hall, Palacký Hall, Sladkovský Hall, etc.) inside the Municipal House, which are used for balls and banquets. Smetana Hall, which occupies a few floors of the building, is the main hall and the venue for the concerts of the Prague Symphony Orchestra and the Prague Spring International Music Festival. It has a capacity of 1,200 seats. The main entrance hall of the Municipal House is decorated with marble cladding and an ornamental mosaic on the floor. From there, visitors can enter Francouzská Restaurant Art Nouveau, which was opened in 1911 and is decorated with original paper wallpapers and historic chandeliers. Opposite the restaurant is Obecní dům café with original mahogany panelling. From the New Foyer with artificial marble cladding, visitors can enter the Americký Bar with historical, fully-functioning equipment. The Art Nouveau Plzeňská Restaurant is situated in the basement of the Municipal House and offers live music performances by an accordionist and the Duo Švejk.
