Article Rudolfinum - tour

The Rudolfinum is not only an architectural gem, but also a vibrant center of art and culture, which has enriched the cultural life of Prague and the entire Czech Republic for decades. For more than 130 years, it has served as an important center of music and fine arts.

The Rudolfinum amazes with its architectural sophistication and elegance. The Neo-Renaissance style is reflected in the rich stucco decoration, monumental columns, arcades and large windows that let natural light into the interiors. The facade is decorated with allegorical statues and busts of prominent artists and scientists, which underline the cultural mission of the building.

The building was built between 1876 and 1884 according to the designs of architects Josef Zítek and Josef Schulz. Originally, the Rudolfinum was conceived as a multi-purpose cultural center, including an art gallery and concert halls. It was named after Crown Prince Rudolf of Habsburg, under whose patronage the construction took place. The grand opening took place on February 7, 1885. From the beginning, it served as a multifunctional space, hosting concerts, exhibitions and various social events.

The Rudolfinum has witnessed many important historical events and hosted many important personalities. Its walls have hosted sessions of the Czech Provincial Assembly, concerts by world-famous conductors and soloists, and exhibitions that shaped Czech fine arts. Historical visitors included Antonín Dvořák, whose compositions were often performed here, and Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk, who addressed the nation here. During the First Czechoslovak Republic, the building served as the seat of the Chamber of Deputies.

A pivotal moment came on January 4, 1896, when the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra performed its first-ever concert here, conducted by Antonín Dvořák himself. Today, the Rudolfinum is the main headquarters of the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra.

The imposing Hall is the ceremonial entrance area of the Rudolfinum. It is flanked by 25 arches and a central ceremonial staircase leads to the gallery spaces. The Hall is used for openings, gala receptions and social gatherings.

The Hall is connected to the Column Hall, where Café Rudolfinum is located, offering pleasant seating with a view of the Aleš embankment.

The heart of the Rudolfinum is undoubtedly the Dvořák Hall, the main concert hall, which is one of the most prestigious in Europe. The capacity of the hall is over 1100 seats. The Dvořák Hall is also one of the main venues of the international music festival Prague Spring. The dominant feature of the hall is the monumental organ, which was built according to the original designs of architects Zítek and Schulz.

Top performers from all over the world regularly perform on stage. The Dvořák Hall is renowned for its excellent acoustics and is the home stage of the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra.

Another major concert hall is the Suk Hall, a smaller and more intimate space that is also used for chamber concerts and recitals.

A representative space that is used for meetings at the highest level.

This space, named after the prominent Czech conductor Václav Talich, is used for more intimate concerts, lectures, press conferences and other social events.

The representative spaces also include a lounge named after conductor Václav Neumann.

The lounge, named after conductor Karl Ančerl, has retained its historical character and offers a unique atmosphere for meetings.

The northern part of the building houses the Galerie Rudolfinum, which opened in 1994. The gallery does not have its own permanent collection, but focuses on presenting contemporary foreign and Czech art through exhibitions. The Galerie Rudolfinum offers extensive exhibition spaces that allow for the presentation of a variety of artworks and projects.