Rudolfinum is an exceptionally interesting place in the center of Prague, on Jan Palach square, in fact the first cultural center of Europe, the creation of which pursued several goals at once - the possibility of conducting performances, concerts, competitions, festivals, and various exhibitions. Along with the National Theater and the National Museum is considered the most important symbol of the Czech national revival. This building was presented to the Czechs by the Czech Savings Bank.

Bankers, as you know, people are thorough, so it was decided to hold an open competition in order to choose the most worthy project from the proposed ones. The competition was international, but in the end the jury selected famous Prague architects Josef Zytek and his pupil Josef Schulz. Subsequently Zytek became the author of the project of the first building of the National Theater, and Schultz - his reenactor after the fire that destroyed the construction of the teacher. Eight years after the construction began, in 1855, the building was completed.

However, political changes in the Czech Republic also affected the fate of Rudolfinum. An independent Czechoslovakia was formed, and its young government began searching for a decent room for parliamentary sessions. The choice fell on Rudolfinum. Unfortunately, the case ended in a reconstruction, which caused great damage to the building: many galleries and other premises were rebuilt. Even the auditorium was eager for parliamentarians - the body, for example, was replaced by a parliamentary rostrum.

During the Nazi occupation the building was rebuilt and resumed concerts After the war ended, the parliament again returned to the cultural center building, but in 1946 he had to make room: the Czech Philharmonic began to work in Rudolfinum, as before. The organ took its place of honor in the auditorium, the performances took place regularly, but the former building of the Gallery still did not correspond to its original purpose, it was occupied by the Academy of Arts and the classrooms of the Prague Conservatory

In 1990, under the direction of Karl Prager, who had previously reconstructed the building of the New Stage of the National Theater, the building was rebuilt in order to restore its original appearance. Now Rudolfinum again became what it was intended to be - a multi-purpose cultural center, an architectural monument, a symbol of the Czech national revival

Antonín Dvořák Concert Hall holds 1023 spectators, and his acoustics is recognized as the best in the country. It is the home ground of the Czech Philharmonic. In the Small Hall of 211 seats, he bears the name of the pupil of Dvorak, the famous composer and teacher Josef Suk. There are wonderful concerts of chamber music, in Rudolfinum is the famous festival "Prague Spring."

Coordinates

Address: Alšovo nábřeží, 79/12, Praha 1.

How to get there: by trams No. 17 or No. 18 to the Staroměstská stop. The nearest metro station is Staroměstská.

Working hours: galleries Tues-tv and Fri-Sun 10: 00-18: 00, Thu 10: 00-20: 00. Concert halls: ticket offices 10: 00-12: 30 and 13: 30-18: 00, concerts start at Mon-Fri: 19:30, Sat-Sun 12:00.

Cost of visiting the galleries 100-150 CZK, 50% discount is given to students and elderly people, children under 15, disabled people and accompanying persons are admitted free of charge.

Prices for tickets for concerts: 150-1000 CZK, 50% discount is given to students, disabled people and elderly people.

Rudolfinum at night

Rudolfinum

Statues, Rudolfinum

Lustra, Rudolfinum

Hall, Rudolfinum