Art Nouveau Opulence in Prague’s Municipal House

Our first day in Prague was hot, very hot. It was over 35°c and someone had the bright idea to forego the Metro and walk instead from our hotel in Vinohrady to the Old Town. Okay, I’ll own up – it was my idea - but after walking in that heat for a good hour or so, I was willing to swear that I had never suggested anything of the sort.

After walking through the famous Powder Gate, I spied the Art Nouveau dome of Prague’s Municipal House, Obecní Dům. I was pleased because while we didn’t have too many plans for our time in Prague, I did want to see this building.

On the façade above you can see Karel Špillar’s famous mosaic, Homage to Prague. We decided to escape the heat for a while and take a look inside.

Obecní Dům now stands on what was once the site of the King’s residence but after falling into dereliction after centuries of abandonment, it was demolished in the early 1900s and replaced by the present building. Built between 1905-1911, the building encapsulates the Art Nouveau style that was very much in vogue at the time and is beautifully kept today.

All of the tilework meant that the building was lovely and cool inside and we enjoyed the chance to wander about and appreciate the intricacy of the design.

I couldn’t resist taking a shoefie…

…but my attention was soon captured by this rather elegant looking young woman. I envied her for looking so cool and collected but in truth she was probably as hot and bothered as I was.

We peeked into the famous Plzeňská restaurant but decided not to stop on this occasion. It was our first day after all and we had not yet made it to Old Town Square.

The Smetana Hall and other smaller halls and conference rooms are located in the Obecní Dům. On the day that we were there, a Dvořák concert was taking place and I was very keen to go. Stephen wasn’t though and it was only when I took him to Dvořák’s tomb a couple day later that he cottoned on to the fact that Dvořák was a very important Prague composer.

How exquisite is this chandelier? I stared at it for the longest time.

We didn’t spend too long in Municipal House but given the lovely, relaxed attitude of the Czech people we could have stayed as long as we wanted to.

This is the first proper post of my Prague trip. I have so much to share that it was a little tricky at first to know where to start but I’ve decided to go wherever inspiration takes me. Perhaps if I tackle the little posts then the big ones will just magically write themselves?