Czech name: Rudolfinum
It’s hard to imagine any visitor on a Prague sightseeing trip missing the opportunity to take in the beauty of the Rudolfinum. This Neo-Renaissance building is a jewel set in the necklace of historical buildings gracing the banks of the Vltava River.
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Location & How to Get There
Rudolfinum is located at Alšovo nábřeží 12, Prague 1.
Directions: City Public transport – Staroměstská station or bus/tram stop:
underground line A; tram nos. 17,18 and 53; bus no. 207
Parking: Underground parking on Jan Palacha Square, telephone: +420 222 328 687
Opening Hours & Entry
Opening hours:
Tues-Wed 10:00AM – 6:00PM
Thu-Thu 10:00AM – 8:00PM
Fri-Sun 10:00AM -6:00PM
What to Do & What to See
There are so many outstanding halls to visit inside the Rudolfinum. The most important is Dvořák Hall where Dvořák directed the Czech Philharmonic in its very first public concert in January 1896. Anyone who has ever been to a concert there can attest to the outstanding acoustics of one of the oldest concert auditoriums in Europe. The magnificent, high-quality organ is the central element. Each year, the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra is one of the venues of the International Music in May and June.
- Suk Hall, used for smaller chamber concerts, is also located in the Rudolfinum. It has the convenience of having a recording studio attached which can be hired for recording music. It is a beautiful hall with seven huge entrance doors.
- Column Hall houses the stylish, renovated cafeteria where book launches and social gatherings may take place. It too is an attractive, beautifully decorated hall with huge columns and an attractive serving bar.
- On the right side of Dvořák Hall, the elegant Presidential Lounge is found. It is mostly used for press conferences, small social gatherings and presentations.
- Another elegant hall is the Talich Lounge where the visitor can glimpse a view of the Prague Castle. It too is used for social gatherings and press conferences.
- The Ceremony Hall is the main official entrance to the upper-floor gallery. It is the largest of the halls of the Rudolfinum and is used for gala dinners and balls.
The Rudolfinum Art Gallery, a non-profit gallery, which opened its doors in 1994, is directed and financed by the Czech Ministry of Culture. Located in the back of the Rudolfinum, the gallery houses its ever-changing collection of contemporary artists’ work.
Private businesses and financial institutions were responsible for the building of the Rudolfinum since it was far too costly for any other social group of the day. These institutions were solely responsible for the planning and financing of a home for the muses of Prague.
History
The Rudolfinum is a testament to the brilliance of architect Josef Zítek and his student Josef Schulz. They designed this monument to symbolize the enthusiasm and support of the Czech people for the arts. It took its rightful place along the Vltava River in 1886 where Prague had its beginnings. The government of Czechoslovakia took over the building in 1918 and used it as an assembly hall until 1943. Since then, it has been in constant use as a place for musical concerts.