Municipal House (Obecní dům), Smetana Hall

The stage where Czechoslovakia was proclaimed and the Prague Spring begins — classical concerts in Smetana Hall of the Municipal House.

The Municipal House (Czech: Obecní dům) is a major civic landmark and concert hall in Prague and an important building in the architectural and political history of the Czech Republic. Built between 1905 and 1911 to the designs of architects Osvald Polívka and Antonín Balšánek and opened in 1912, the Art Nouveau structure carries a wealth of ornament by the leading Czech artists of its day.

An Art Nouveau Masterpiece

The main facade features a large ceramic half-dome mosaic above the entry, Homage to Prague, by Karel Špillar. On either side are allegorical sculpture groups representing The Degradation of the People and The Resurrection of the People by Ladislav Šaloun, while the remainder of the rich decoration was done by Josef Mařatka, František Úprka and others, with light stands designed by Karel Novák. Inside there are murals by the famous Alfons Mucha, Jan Preisler and Max Švabinský and others, all of this on nationalist themes.

Smetana Hall

The main space within the Municipal House is the concert hall Smetana Hall, seating 1,200 people, named in honour of Bedřich Smetana — the creator of modern Czech music. On October 28, 1918, Smetana Hall was the scene of the proclamation of the independent state of Czechoslovakia. Since 1942 it has been the home of the Prague Symphony Orchestra (FOK), and every year on 12 May the Prague Spring International Music Festival opens here with Smetana’s Má vlast (My Country).

Smetana Hall, centrally located and accessible from the first-floor foyer, represents the largest area of the Municipal House. Of the sculpted decoration, Ladislav Šaloun’s stucco groups called Vyšehrad and Slavonic Dances, placed along the sides of the stage, particularly stand out, also commemorating the other brilliant Czech composer, Antonín Dvořák. Smetana’s Vyšehrad from the cycle of symphonic poems My Country is represented by the mythical figure of Lumír, narrating the legend of the homeland to harp accompaniment, while the dancing couple located on the opposite side is a motif from Dvořák’s Slavonic Dances. Smetana Hall’s interior features also other Czech composers whose portrait medallions embellish the box parapets and the parapet of the main balcony.

Several restaurants and cafés in Art Nouveau style are located on the ground floor of the building.