Municipal house

Concert hall · Stare Mesto ·

Municipal house

Concert hall · Stare Mesto ·

Art Nouveau landmark with concert hall, historical significance, and dining.

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Náměstí Republiky 5, 111 21 Staré Město, Czechia Get directions

@afar

25,132 Postcards · 3,702 Cities

"See the Height of Art Nouveau The Municipal House, built in 1912, is a civic hall and concert theater in Prague. This Art Nouveau gem, decorated with allegorical sculptures, gold trim, and stained glass on the exterior, and topped with a glass dome, isa national heritage site. The Royal Court Palace was situated in this location from 1383 to 1485, Czechoslovakia's independence was proclaimed here in 1918, and the first meetings between the communist government and Vaclav Havel were held here in 1989. The lobby features a sweeping, red-carpeted marble staircase, and the concert hall is decorated in carved stone, gold, shimmering lights, and frescoes. The romantic Francouzska Restaurant opened at the same time as the building did, and is known for itssoaring ceilings, glass and gold chandeliers, and early 20th-century atmosphere."

The Best Things to Do in Prague

Municipal House

@ricksteves

706 Postcards · 220 Cities

Prague Travel Guide Resources & Trip Planning Info by Rick Steves

"I admired the pure Art Nouveau architecture here, which includes Prague's largest concert hall and several eateries, making it both a visual and cultural draw." - RICKSTEVES

https://www.ricksteves.com/europe/czech-republic/prague

Municipal house

Minions

Google

We found this Hidden gem by surprise. There was a guided tour with English / CZ. It costs only 190 CZK and last for almost one hour. The internal design was stunning with lots of beautiful structures, decoration, painting, sculpture. Opening hour is 10am - 7pm daily. We came here on weekday afternoon and bought ticket on spot. But it’s recommended to buy it in advance in case it’s peak hours

Buster Got I.

Google

Municipal House (Czech: Obecní dům) is a civic building that houses Smetana Hall, a celebrated concert venue, in Prague, Czech Republic. It is located on Náměstí Republiky next to the Powder Gate in the centre of the city. The Royal Court palace used to be located on the site of the Municipal House. This complex was built around 1380 by King Wenceslas IV, and from 1383 until 1485, the Kings of Bohemia lived in the property. After 1485, it was abandoned.[1] It was demolished in the early 20th century. Construction of the current building started in 1905.[1] It was designed by Osvald Polívka and Antonín Balšánek.[1] It opened in 1912.[2] The Municipal House was the location of the Czechoslovak declaration of independence in 1918.[1] The roof of the building was the location for the INXS music video for their 1987 hit New Sensation.

Anton

Google

The Municipal House - Obecní dům - is a stunning Art Nouveau building in the heart of Prague, next to the Powder Tower. Built in the early 20th century, it is famous for its richly decorated interiors, stained glass, and elegant murals. The Municipal House is also historically significant as the place where Czechoslovak independence was proclaimed in 1918. Inside there is a very beautiful and ornate concert hall that can accommodate up to 1200 people. At the time of our visit there were Four Seasons by philharmonic orchestra with a violin as a solo.

Mark W.

Google

A beautiful art deco building, with lovely restaurants and bars. We went downstairs to Tretters American cocktail bar, and what a fantastic place! Watching the 2 bar tenders making all the drinks was great. Amazing staff, amazing drinks. And actually not expensive. Highly recommend going here for a cocktail or 4!

Evgeniia

Google

Easy one of the most beautiful places in Prague. Here the Czechoslovak republic was founded in 1918. Beautiful rooms in different styles, I enjoyed every single one. Yes, the entrance ticket is a little bit on a pricy side but it is definitely worth it

Henri Salmi (.

Google

The municipal house is from from the first years of the 20th century. Beautiful building built in Art Nouveau style. The building has a rich history: the palace of the Bohemian kings used to be here, but it was abandonded centuries ago and demolisehd to make way for the municipal house. The czhechoslovakian independence declaration was made here after WWI. Inside is a famous concert hall

Don P.

Google

We have seen the building before but joined the tour for the first time this time. It was really worth it. All the rooms have amazing decorations and I especially liked the concert hall and mayor’s hall with Mucha’s paintings. The tour was also very helpful to learn about the history of the building.

Najd A.

Google

I had the pleasure of attending a Prague Music Orchestra concert here, and it was a beautiful experience from start to finish. The architecture of the hall itself is stunning — elegant, historic, and designed in a way that makes the music feel alive. The details in the interior reflect the city’s artistic heritage, and the acoustics allow every note to resonate clearly. It’s one of those places where the space becomes part of the performance. The music program was thoughtfully curated, moving from Mozart’s joyful Eine kleine Nachtmusik to the lyrical Largo of Dvořák’s New World Symphony. Each piece felt perfectly suited to the venue. The orchestra performed with passion and precision, and their interpretation captured both the grandeur of the classics and the intimacy of chamber music. A must-visit for anyone who loves music and architecture. The combination of setting and sound makes this concert hall an unforgettable cultural experience in Prague.

Jerry M.

Yelp

Stunning municipal house located in the heart of Prague. Here you will see a Austrian Empire building decorated with the best works of the Czech Art Nouveau and Art Deco movements. The building is richly decorated and there is something to see in every corner. Take the tour! You will see spaces in the building that you would not otherwise have an opportunity to see. The tour guide is also incredibly knowledgeable about the building and its history. Visit the Mucha museum before coming here for context and information on Mucha and his contribution to this incredible building. Highly recommend.

LeeAnne W.

Yelp

Absolutely gorgeous building that hosts wonderful classical concerts. We dressed in blue jeans and nice sweaters and were not underdressed. I wish that cell phone use (videoing) and talking were prohibited during the concert. I do not mind telling those talkers to hush though. My approach worked and I was able to enjoy a wonderful performance of Vivaldi's Four Seasons and Gypsy Airs. This was such a wonderful experience near the beginning of our trip to Prage and it really set the tone for an awesome experience in this beautiful and history rich city. There is a nice coat check service downstairs and there are several restaurants inside as well. You could have dinner and music in the same building. Also enjoy the Mocha murals inside and out. I highly recommend this excursion to those visiting Prague.

Kane K.

Yelp

Food - I only got the chocolate cheesecake and it was really good! The cheesecake itself was not too sweet, what made it sweet were the gooey chocolate surrounding it. I'd give this one 5 stars actually. But again, I love sweet things, some may find it really sweet. Service - hmmm this is where I subtracted the star. There were wait staff there but I dont know if we can just seat ourselves or be directed to one. Well, we ended up seating ourselves in then we dont know who our server is. Good thing the main goal is to only try their dessert so food came quick. Ambiance - high ceiling inside the restaurant with like a naked lady sculpture in the front. Spacey and pretty is how I found it.

Chun P.

Yelp

As of September 2023, there is a big, amazing, and wonderful Mucha art exhibit at the Municipal House that far exceeds the official measly little permanent Mucha museum. Its also cheaper for 290K/$13 vs 350K/$19. The exterior building architecture is gorgeous and stunning art nouveau at its best...inside isn't quite as impressive, and security staff doesn't want you wandering unless you're on a group tour. Next I would try to attend a concert or show here to go the full effect. There are a couple of fancy cafes here too in case you want some slightly overpriced drinks and food to be consumed in gorgeous and elegant setting.

Spiros K.

Yelp

The service ann the ambience was amazing. This old fashion place was busy and we were serenaded by an accomplished pianist. The Turkish coffee could've been better!

Yuko H.

Yelp

Came to this Municipal House for a concert one night and it was an amazing experience. The night we came in, they had 150 people orchestra and ticket was anywhere between $50 to $100 per person. We purchased tickets online and since they had English page process was easy. Everyone except us was dressed up in suits and dress. Since the orchestra concert wasn't on our original schedule, we didn't have any fancy clothes or shoes. I picked the cleanest shirts and fancy jeans. Although we obviously underdressed to the occasion, they didn't stop us from entering the venue. Orchestra was amazing. High level of music. It certainly became one of our highlights on our trip.

John M.

Yelp

Restaurant popular with tourists. Has a limited menu. I wanted something small so I had a mushroom omelette. Tasted like they used farm fresh eggs as it had a nice egg flavor. Piano player in the corner playing a lot of movie scores. Beautiful restaurant with clean bathroom.

Gina L.

Yelp

I went here by mistake. I was looking for another place nearby and thought this was it. Staff is not friendly at all. The food is good and the restaurant is super nice, but not worth it. When I walked in, the staff was just looking at me and the people who walked in after me, as if they were hoping that we just turn around and leave. Then they reluctantly came and sat me and the other group of people. The food was good. The check does say that tip is not included, but the staff makes it a point to remind you that the tip is not included. Not worth it.

Inna R.

Yelp

This is one of the tourist spots in Prague to grab a meal. A group of us sat outside and our waiter seemed very annoyed with us the whole time. The food was good, it was about $30 for a meal and they will not spilt your check (which is not unheard of). They ran into one of my friends heads with a tray because they were in a rush and did not even bother to apologize. For a tourist location I expected better costumer service.

Sean G.

Yelp

Not a bad place for a pit stop to have a drink and enjoy some people watching and the art deco interior which is really impressive. The desert trolley was being wheeled around and the contents looked really good but I doubt the waistline would thank you. Service is hit and miss.

Joyce T.

Yelp

Live music and can dine outside. Good traditional Czech food that is at a convenient location.

Jana C.

Yelp

Municipal House was amazing, architecturally. Located in large Naměstí Republiky, we walked from Staré Město behind Týnsky chrám, and under Prašná brána's amazing Gothic stone arch on Celetna and landed here, trying to buy some classical tickets we could afford. Alas, not something we could agree to splurge on. Kind of makes me regret it now In the style of the brilliant Art Deco maestro Alfons Mucha, place has a super nice, historic kavarna inside. Very close to the Palladium.

Mike B.

Yelp

We saw a show they had here, you will see people selling tickets for nightly performances outside all day long. We ended up paying $25 per ticket for a show, which was nice. It featured the Royal Czech Orchestra, the show lasted about 70 min or so and was a nice way to get off your feet and relax for a little bit. I don't know if I would go back, but was glad I checked it out at least once after walking by it so many times.

Qype User (.

Yelp

I recommend this place equally on the basis of it's food and it's architecture, maybe even more for the latter. The cafe offers a relatively typical Czech menu, meat, potatoes, sauce, so on. But the ambience and beauty of the surroundings elevate it to being worthy of a visit just to marvel at the art deco details. Mosaics, ornamented chandeliers and mirrored walls make for a delightful place to stop for a mid afternoon coffee and cake.

Gillian B.

Yelp

Oh my lord. While I have never eaten at the restaurant, the cafe (the first where women could go unattended by a man) is just heavenly and well worth the price. However, it is the Art Nouveau architecture and decor is worth the trip. It is truly one of the gems of the early 20th century magnificence which bless Prague.

Betsy H.

Yelp

Wonderful food beautiful decoration. Very reasonable prices! Totally recommend it. I had the duck my mom had the beef tips and my dad had the pork. All very happy with our dishes and the duck is delicious! I recommend to everyone

Anthony P.

Yelp

We ate inside the cafe and the Art Deco ambience was lovely. The experience was close to a traditional English afternoon tea but with a wider range. We both had the ciabatta with mozzarella, tomato and basil and a slice of cake from the sweet trolley that was being wheeled around. A wide range of teas were available and the service was pleasantly attentive. Whilst it was comparatively expensive, you'd be hard pressed to find such awe inspiring architecture directly above your head elsewhere.

Ho L.

Yelp

Overall this isn't a bad place to stop and have a bite to eat. It's a little touristy, and not quite as quaint as other places you might find, but there is a lot of history here, and architecture is very interesting. Prices are on the high side (for Prague), but still very reasonable. Be sure to check out the Powder Tower nearby!

Kaitlin K.

Yelp

Very nice upstate restaurant. Large portions of traditional Czech food. Came for brunch and was completely satisfied.

Petr S.

Yelp

Service is good, nice and fast, prices for coffee and desserts are high but for main dish the price level is just slightly above average, surrounding is very nice and classy. Sometimes it could be overwhelmed by tourists.

G M.

Yelp

The only good thing about this place is the location and feeling of being in a 1930 cafe. Every aspect of the food was below average and not satisfying. Wine was the cheapest we have had in europe. Potatoes taste like frozen potatoes over cooked. The beef soup had weird after-taste and we left most of it uneaten. The goulash was good but 4 bitefuls of actual meat, and fairly fat and cheap beef at that. Salmon was ok but tasted a little off. Fruit salad looked worried.

Jane K.

Yelp

We thought this place looked interesting. The architecture is beautiful! I think any restaurant in this area is probably touristy. The schnitzel was wonderful and we really liked the potato salad. Got the wine of the day which was good. Thought the prices were reasonable and the service was attentive.

Jan S.

Yelp

Overpriced and unfriendly service! The location looks great because it is in the old Municipal Building of Prague which is very impressive. Just do yourself a favor and don't eat here, since this experience will downgrade your first impression dramatically. Not only the food is far below average, but also the service is rude and unfriendly.

Cindy C.

Yelp

Nice place to sit, rest, and people watch. Nice beers, but iced cappuccino was terrible... Tasted like crazy sweet powered coffee.

@afar

25,132 Postcards · 3,702 Cities

The Best Things to Do in Prague

Municipal House

@ricksteves

706 Postcards · 220 Cities

Prague Travel Guide Resources & Trip Planning Info by Rick Steves

"I admired the pure Art Nouveau architecture here, which includes Prague's largest concert hall and several eateries, making it both a visual and cultural draw." - RICKSTEVES

https://www.ricksteves.com/europe/czech-republic/prague

Municipal house

Minions

Google

Buster Got I.

Google

Anton

Google

Mark W.

Google

Evgeniia

Google

Henri Salmi (.

Google

Don P.

Google

Najd A.

Google

Jerry M.

Yelp

LeeAnne W.

Yelp

Kane K.

Yelp

Chun P.

Yelp

Spiros K.

Yelp

The service ann the ambience was amazing. This old fashion place was busy and we were serenaded by an accomplished pianist. The Turkish coffee could've been better!

Yuko H.

Yelp

John M.

Yelp

Gina L.

Yelp

Inna R.

Yelp

Sean G.

Yelp

Joyce T.

Yelp

Live music and can dine outside. Good traditional Czech food that is at a convenient location.

Jana C.

Yelp

Mike B.

Yelp

Qype User (.

Yelp

Gillian B.

Yelp

Betsy H.

Yelp

Anthony P.

Yelp

Ho L.

Yelp

Kaitlin K.

Yelp

Very nice upstate restaurant. Large portions of traditional Czech food. Came for brunch and was completely satisfied.

Petr S.

Yelp

G M.

Yelp

Jane K.

Yelp

Jan S.

Yelp

Cindy C.

Yelp

Nice place to sit, rest, and people watch. Nice beers, but iced cappuccino was terrible... Tasted like crazy sweet powered coffee.

Municipal house

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Prague Travel Guide Resources & Trip Planning Info by Rick Steves

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Prague Travel Guide Resources & Trip Planning Info by Rick Steves