The Public House or Municipal House (Czech name: Obecní dúm) is a concert hall of Smetana and other halls located in a historic building in Prague, which is an important example of the Prague Art Nouveau style.
Today, the Public House is a famous concert venue in Prague, within its walls there is a Sour Cream hall. There are also other historical halls in the building, where excursions are conducted; exhibitions and various events are held in the house; there are restaurants and cafes.
This exquisite building is located in the center of Prague and adorns the Republic Square (Namesti Republiky), creating an architectural resonance with nearby Gothic The powder Gate (Prašná brána), in the tower gallery of which there is an observation deck.
In the photo below, the Public House is on the right, the Powder Gate is on the left
The Prague Public House was built on the site of the royal residence, called the "Royal Court" - a building from the time of Wenceslaus IV (about 1383), which served as the temporary residence of King Sigismund, in which Ladislav Pogrobek died and the coronation procession of George of Podebrad came out. The Royal Court was demolished in 1902-1903.
The current building was built in 1905-1911, designed by architects Antonin Balshanek and Oswald Polivka, as a center of Czech cultural life. Over time, the house became the center of public life and the place of important historical events. On January 6, 1918, the so-called Declaration of the Three Kings was adopted in the house, demanding the creation of an independent Czechoslovak state, and from October 28 to November 13, the National Committee met as the first parliament and government of the state.
From the outside, the Municipal House is a relic of 19th-century historicism, a mixture of pseudo-Renaissance and pseudo-Baroque styles, but is generally considered an example of Prague Art Nouveau.
Above the massive main entrance there is a semicircular balcony with columns and figures of light bearers with electric lamps by Karel Novak. Above the balcony, Karel Shpillar's lunette mosaic, representing the apotheosis of Prague, catches the eye. On the ledge above the mosaic are placed: the inscription, - quote of Svyatopolk the Czech: "Good luck to you, Prague! Resist the time of malice, as you resisted the riots of all!" and the coat of arms of the city of Prague. On the sides there are sculptures of Ladislav Shaloun "Humiliation of the nation" and "Resurrection of the nation".
Between the windows of the 1st floor there are stucco columns with relief medallions depicting types of Czech folk costumes.
On the corner, at the Powder Gate, there is a statue of the builder Matej Reisk by Chenek Vosmik; on the attic there is a sculpture "Spirit of History" by Frantisek Rouse; and at the height of the 1st floor, the corner of the Municipal House is connected by a covered corridor with the Powder Gate.
On the corner of the right wing of the building there are half-figures of Antonin Strunts - an allegory of literature, construction, sculpture and painting.
Interiors of the Prague Public House (Smetana Hall)
The interiors of the Municipal House of Prague are perfect interiors in the Art Nouveau style, which were worked on by leading artists and sculptors such as A. Mucha, J. Preisler, L. Shaloun and others.
Among the interiors of the Public House, the Smetana Concert Hall stands out especially, which occupies the central space of the first floor and the entire Municipal House. This main hall is named after the Czech composer Bedrzych Smetana.
The hall attracts attention with the figured painting of the ceiling and niches, the arch of the proscenium, decorated on the sides with the sculptural group "Slavic Dances" and "Visegrad" by Ladislav Shaloun, and portrait medallions of composers Antonin Strunets, Antonin Mary and Karel Novak on the balconies. The original decoration of the hall includes mirrors, stained glass windows on the ceiling and fabrics in the Art Nouveau style, the chairs in the hall were made inItaly as copies of the original chairs.
The organ in the hall is decorated with a medallion of Bedrzhiha Smetana by Frantisek Hergesel.
Smetana Hall has been a permanent venue for the most important concerts of the Prague Spring International Music Festival since its foundation in 1946. Other concerts and events are also held in the hall.
The capacity of the hall is 1259 seats.
Other rooms and halls in the Prague Municipal House include: pastry shop, Slovak Hall, Bozhena Nemtsova Hall, East Hall, Gregr Hall, Palatsky Hall, Mayor's Hall, Rieger Hall, Sladkovsky Hall, hall, living rooms, dining rooms, etc.
Guided tours are conducted through the inner halls and premises of the Public House, which last about an hour. Excursions are paid.
In addition, exhibitions and various events are held in the Prague Public House.
Also in the walls of the house there are cafes and restaurants that have exquisite interiors.
Practical information
For up-to-date information about events, concerts, exhibitions and excursions held at the Municipal House of Prague, we recommend checking on the official website: obecnidum.cz .
The address of the Municipal House of Prague: Naměstí Republiky 5, 111 21 Staré Město, Czech Republic.
Coordinates of the Municipal House of Prague: 50°05'15.0"N 14°25'41.0"E (50.087500, 14.428056).
All accommodation facilities in Prague (hotels, apartments, guest houses, etc.), including in the city center and more remotely from it, can be viewed and booked here 
