Rudolfinum is the best concert hall in Prague. Rudolfinum (Prague Philharmonic) Beauty and symmetry
The musical image of Prague is complemented by the Czech Philharmonic. Her residence is located in Rudolfinum. Rudolfinum personifies Czech culture.
Rudolfinum is a building on the Prague embankment of the Vltava River, built in the neo-Renaissance style by the architect Josef Zhitk and Josef Schulz in 1876-1886 with money from the Czech Savings Bank. The first concert was conducted by Antonin Dvorak himself.
Rudolfinum - a symbol of the Czech Renaissance
The official opening of the Rudolfinum building took place on February 7, 1885. It was named in honor of Rudolph, Prince of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The building symbolized the Czech Renaissance, along with the National Theater and Museum.
From 1918 to 1938 and after the end of World War II, the Rudolfinum building hosted meetings of the Czechoslovak Parliament.
Today the Rudolfinum is the main concert venue of the Czech Philharmonic. The Great Dvorak Concert Hall (Dvořákova síň) and the Small Suk Hall (Sukova síň) are the centers for the annual event. There are several exhibition halls in the building.
Rudolfinum – concert venue of the Czech Philharmonic
The names of famous musicians are associated with the Czech Philharmonic: Zdenek Mahler, Edvard Grieg, Leonard Bernstein and Rafael Kubelik. The Philharmonic Orchestra successfully tours around the world, and is especially popular in the USA and Japan.
In front of the Rudolfinum building there is a monument to the Czech composer Antonín Leopold Dvořák, who was born near Prague in the town of Nelahozeves in 1848.
How to get there
Take the metro to Staroměstská station.
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Rudolfinum was donated to the people of Prague by the Czech Savings Bank. Once upon a time, local bankers were preparing for a luxurious celebration. It was planned to celebrate the anniversary of our native bank. Naturally, the building for the holiday had to be unique, even luxurious. A whole commission was created to decide where exactly the celebration should be held. A competition was announced for the best idea. Leading architects not only of the city, but also of the country took part. Everyone proposed their projects, but the project of Zitek and Schultz was recognized as the best. It took eight years to build the Rudolfinum; in February of the fifty-fifth year of the nineteenth century, its grand opening took place. Since the prince himself was present here, they decided to name the new exhibition hall in his honor.
The main entrance to Rudolfinum from the embankment
Since then, Rudolfinum has been considered a real temple of art. Shows, concerts, festivals and exhibitions take place here.
Events held at Rudolfinum
Almost immediately after the opening, an art gallery settled here. It was called the “Society of Patriots.” Exhibitions of famous artists began to be held. Also in the exhibition hall there was an “Aesthetic Association”, which also organized exhibitions, concerts and other special events. And at the end of the nineteenth century, the Czech Philharmonic began its work.
Unfortunately, when the war began, all cultural events were cancelled. Parliament sessions began to be held here. Rudolfinum was almost completely changed, undergoing complete reconstruction. The most beautiful halls and galleries began to change. In addition, the concert hall was badly damaged. Instead of an organ, there was a platform for speeches by deputies. After the war, the Rudolfinum was restored again and given to the Czech Philharmonic.
Peculiarities
The building has a stunning concert hall. The acoustics are excellent here. The hall was named after Dvorak. This is a great Czech composer. His statue can be seen in front of the entrance. Busts of famous musicians such as Talikh, Kubelik, Stupka are located here.
The small hall of the Rudolfinum has a capacity of two hundred and eleven seats. Concerts, exhibitions, and presentations are held here.
At the end of the thirties of the twentieth century, an interesting incident occurred. Provost Heydrich ordered the destruction of the Mendelssohn-Bartholdy sculpture. Allegedly, the musician did not have Aryan origin. The ordinary soldiers to whom the order was given had no idea what the musician looked like. We thought for a long time and decided which of the sculptures should be destroyed. As a result, the statue of Richard Wagner was confiscated. And this was Hitler's favorite composer.
How to get to Rudolfinum
If you decide to visit Rudolfinum, you need to get to the Staromestska stop. You can get there by tram number eighteen or number seventeen. Or, take the metro. On Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, Rudolfinum is open from ten in the morning to six in the evening. And on Thursday this famous hall is open until twenty-two zero. Ticket prices range from one hundred to one hundred and fifty crowns. Pensioners and students enjoy discounts and pay half the price. Children under fifteen years of age and disabled people enter free of charge.
Be sure to visit the Rudolfinum, of course, if you are a true connoisseur of art.
This structure, which is one of the most architecturally significant buildings in Prague, was built between 1876 and 1884. as multifunctional cultural center, and was named after Crown Prince Rudolf Rudolfinum. The concert hall is now the hall named after. Dvorak - served the Czech Philharmonic from January 4, 1896, when the Philharmonic performed there for the first time under the direction of composer and conductor Antonin Dvorak. Rudolfinum fulfilled its cultural purpose until 1919, when it was transformed into Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament of the Czechoslovak Republic. During World War II, concerts began to be held in the Rudolfinum again. However, the complete restoration of the building, especially the premises in which the galleries were located, took place only in 1992, when a major renovation was carried out under the leadership of the architect Karel Prager, and the Rudolfinum became residence of the Czech Philharmonic and the Rudolfinum Gallery.
The Rudolfinum on Jan Palach Square in Prague is a world-famous concert hall and home stage of the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra. The area of Rudolfinum is 8000 m2. The building has as many as 80 rooms, including two huge concert halls. One of the halls is dedicated to Antonin Dvorak, the leader of the orchestra. Together with the National Theater and Museum, the Rudolfinum forms a unique triad of cultural life in the capital.
NAVIGATION
Story
The Rudolfinum building in the neo-Renaissance style was built in 1876-84, the project was financed by the largest banks. The creators of the project did not intend to limit Rudolfinum to the musical sphere. Initially, the building was planned as a house of art and was also supposed to house the largest art gallery.
The project was named in honor of the heir to the Czech crown, Rudolf.
In Czechoslovakia, until the Nazi occupation began, the building served as the home of the National Assembly of Deputies. During this period, the appearance of Rudolfinum changed noticeably due to technical needs.
The Nazis again made Rudolfinum a concert hall. For the occupiers, his stage became one of the mouthpieces of the propaganda of the Third Reich.
During the reconstruction of the building, it was ordered to dismantle the statue of Mendelssohn. There were no signatures, and workers accidentally sent a statue of Wagner, the composer Hitler loved, to the landfill. In the chaos, members of the resistance managed to save the monument to Mendelssohn.
After the Czech Republic came under the influence of the Soviet Union, Rudolfinum became a House of Artists for a long time. When independence returned to the country, the cultural monument was restored to its true meaning. After World War II, the Rudolfinum hosted the Prague Spring festival for the first time, one of the main events in the world of academic music.
Concert hall
After the Velvet Revolution, the Rudolfinum again became the main concert hall in Prague and the home of the Czech Philharmonic. The sculptures of famous musicians on the façade of the building were restored. The architects added new design elements that corresponded to the original ideas of their colleagues in the 19th century - statues of lions, sphinxes and muses. External lighting was installed, consisting of more than 4,000 lamps.
Now in the Dvojak Hall, more than a thousand spectators can enjoy the concert. The acoustics of the room are at the highest level.
The pride of the modern Rudolfinum is the German organ from 1884.
Gallery
The gallery consists of one large and three small halls. Now there is no permanent fund of exhibits here. Instead, the gallery serves as an exhibition hall. Despite the historical significance of the building, the gallery displays paintings by artists of our time. Also in Rudolfinum you can find a cinema hall and a cafe where you can have a drink or snack after the concert.
Address, opening hours
Rudolfinum is located in Prague at Alšovonábřeží 79/12. You can get there by tram 17 or 18, or by metro. The stop in both cases is Staroměstská.
The gallery's opening hours are from 10-00 to 18-00, on Thursdays - until 20-00. Tickets to the gallery cost 100-150 CZK.
Concerts on weekdays begin at half past eight, on weekends - at twelve o'clock in the afternoon. Ticket prices reach thousands of Czech crowns. Both the gallery and concert halls offer a 50% discount for students and senior citizens. Children under fifteen years of age can enter for free.
Hotels nearby
Classical music lovers can stay in hotels located near Rudolfinum:
- Zatecka N°14. Located in the Josefov quarter, half an hour's drive from Vaclav Havel Airport. Here you will find family rooms and excellent Italian coffee. Couples especially rate the hotel highly;
- Residence U Malvaze. Address – Karlova 10. The best choice for those who come not only to see historical sights, but also to try Czech beer. A variety of beers and snacks are served here. In fine weather, breakfast is served in the hotel garden;
- U Páva, located at U Lužického Semináře 30. A universal option. There are family rooms and a small club for guests on the ground floor. The local wine list will interest even experienced sommeliers;
- Residence Glamor Premium. You will stop at 23 Pařížská. From the balconies of this hotel you will have a beautiful view of old Prague. Each room includes a personal coffee machine.
