Page 685 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Europe

PR A GUE  683

This beautifully decorated
revolving dial, designed by
celebrated artist Josef Mánes,
dates from 1866.

y Municipal House
Náměstí Republiky 5. Tel 22 20 02 101.
q Náměstí Republiky. v 5, 8, 24, 26.
Gallery: Open daily. & 8 7 0
∑ obecnidum.cz
Prague’s most prominent Art
Nouveau building occupies the
site of the former Royal Court
palace, the king’s residence
between 1383 and 1484. The
exterior is embellished with
allegorical statuary, and above
the main entrance there is a
mosaic entitled Homage to View across the Vltava River to the National Theater
Prague by Karel Špillar.
Inside is Prague’s principal in front of the National Museum i National Theater
concert venue, the Smetana Hall, was erected in 1912, the work Národní divadlo, Národní třída. Tel 22
which is also used as a ballroom. of the 19th-century sculptor 49 01 448. q Národní třída. v 6, 9,
The interior is decorated with Josef Myslbek. At the foot of 17, 18, 22 to Národní divadlo.
works by leading Czech artists of the pedestal there are smaller Open for performances only or by
the early 20th century, including statues of Czech patron saints. arrangement (22 49 01 506). 7
Alfons Mucha, one of the most Also worth seeing are the Art ∑ narodni-divadlo.cz
successful exponents of the Art Nouveau-style Hotel Europa
Nouveau style. (1906) and the Church of Our The National Theater has always
On October 28, 1918, Prague’s Lady of the Snows. This towering been an important symbol of
Municipal House was the scene Gothic building is only part of a the Czech cultural revival. Work
of the momentous vast church planned in the 14th began on the building in 1868.
proclamation of the new century but never completed. The original Neo-Renaissance
independent state Wenceslas Square has design was by the Czech
of Czechoslovakia. witnessed many important architect Josef Zítek. After it
events in Czech history. In was completely destroyed
u Wenceslas November 1989, by fire – just days before the
Square a protest rally official opening – Josef Schulz
against police
was given the job of rebuilding
q Můstek, Muzeum. brutality took place the theater, and all the best
v 3, 9, 14, 24. here, leading to the Czech artists of the period
Velvet Revolution contributed toward its lavish
Originally a medieval horse and the overthrow decoration. During the late
market, today Wenceslas of Communism. 1970s and early 80s, the theater
Square remains an important underwent restoration work
commercial center, with and the New Stage was built.
shops, hotels, restaurants, The theater’s auditorium has
and clubs. an elaborately painted ceiling
At one end of the square adorned with allegorical figures
is the National Museum. representing the arts. Equally
This grand building, with impressive are the sumptuous
its monumental staircase gold and red stage curtain,
and rich marbled interior, and the ceiling fresco in the
was completed in 1890 theater’s lobby. The fresco is
as a symbol of national the final part of a triptych,
prestige. The museum’s painted by František Ženíšek
collections are devoted in 1878, depicting the Golden
mainly to mineralogy, Age of Czech Art.
archaeology, anthropology, The theater’s vivid sky-blue
and natural history. The roof, covered with stars, is said
huge equestrian statue of Statue of St. Wenceslas flanked by Czech patron saints to symbolize the summit all
St. Wenceslas that stands in St. Wenceslas Square artists should aim for.

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