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| Municipal House at Night Photo copyright Janet Cameron |
Described
in Prague's promotional literature as the pearl of Art Nouveau, The
Municipal House is a national treasure both inside and out.
Venue
for the arts, concert hall and home to the Czech National Symphony
Orchestra, exhibition hall, and an essential cultural landmark for
any visitor to Prague, this is one of the foremost historically
important buildings in Czech Republic. The Municipal House is located
in the centre of Prague in the Old Town, right next to the Powder
Tower.
Smetana
and Chamber Concert Halls
The
Municipal House is famous for its beautiful Smetana Hall, and the
Prague Experience website states that all concerts are performed
there. Unfortunately, my attendance at a Beethoven and Mozart concert
in June, 2012 was an exception to the rule and although the Smetana
Hall was promised as the venue, it was changed at the last minute to
take place in the Chamber Hall. As a result, I am unable to describe
or to include a photo of the famous Smetana Hall, named after Czech's
major composer. I can only quote the website, which describes it as:
"...only rivalled in size by the Dvorák Hall at the Rudolfinum.
The Smetana is an architectural masterpiece, a mix of carved white
stone and gold, illuminated by hundreds of lights, and with frescos
by Karel Spillar adorning the walls."
All
the same, the enjoyment of drinking in all the beauty inside,
descending the huge marble staircase to the American bar, known as
the Americky Bar, admiring the frescoes and stonework, the trimmings
and decorative glass, compensated to some extent for the let-down.
The concert was excellent, although it seemed too short, lasting only
just over an hour and a quarter. You can click here to find many
beautiful images of The
Municipal House and Smetana Hall.
There
is also an excellent video you can watch on youtube, please click
here.
Origins
of The Municipal House
The
Municipal House was built in 1911 on the site of the old Royal Court
Palace. It is located next to the old Powder Tower, a 65m high
building which was once a gateway to the city. This led through the
Old Town and over the famous Charles Bridge to Prague Castle on the
opposite side of the River Vltava. According to AViewonCities.com,
"Until
1836, this route was used by the Bohemian Monarchs on the way to
their coronation in the St.
Vitus Cathedral at Prague
Castle."
The
Tower is connected to The Municipal House by a covered bridge.
On
the original site, a palace was built for King Wenceslas IV in 1383.
After an uprising in the year 1483, the current ruler decided it was
dangerous to reside in the centre of Prague, and so moved to Prague
Castle, at which point the palace became a seminary, and then a
military establishment, until it was demolished in 1903. The
Municipal House was then constructed and leading Czech artists of the
day were called upon to create the stunningly decorated edifice we
enjoy today.
The
Municipal House became especially famous on 28 October 1918, by
providing the venue for the former Czechoslovakia to be proclaimed to
become an independent state.
Sources:
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