Rudolfinum in Prague. Rudolfinum - the best concert hall in Prague

Rudolfinum (Prague, Czech Republic) - repertoire, ticket prices, address, phone numbers, official website.

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Rudolfinum is an extremely interesting place in the center of Prague, on Jan Palach Square, in fact the first cultural center in Europe, the creation of which had several goals at once - the possibility of holding performances, concerts, competitions, festivals, as well as various exhibitions. Along with the National Theater and the People's Museum, it is considered the most important symbol of the Czech national revival. This building was donated to Prague residents by the Czech Savings Bank.

Bankers, as you know, are thorough people, so it was decided to hold an open competition to choose the most worthy project from those proposed. The competition was international, but in the end the jury chose famous Prague architects Josef Zitek and his student Josef Schulz. Subsequently, Zitek became the author of the project for the first building of the National Theater, and Schultz became its reconstructor after the fire that destroyed the teacher’s building. Eight years after construction began, in 1855, the building was completed.

Since Crown Prince Rudolf, heir to the Austrian throne, arrived at the opening ceremony, the cultural center was named after him. An art gallery was located here immediately after the opening, and in 1896 the building housed the Czech Philharmonic.

However, political changes in the Czech Republic also affected the fate of Rudolfinum. Independent Czechoslovakia was formed, and its young government began searching for decent premises for parliamentary meetings. The choice fell on Rudolfinum. Unfortunately, the matter ended with reconstruction, which caused great damage to the building: many galleries and other rooms were rebuilt. Even the auditorium was subjected to the zeal of parliamentarians - the organ, for example, was replaced by a parliamentary tribune.

During the Nazi occupation, the building was rebuilt again and concerts resumed. After the war ended, the parliament returned to the building of the cultural center, but in 1946 it had to make room: the Czech Philharmonic began to work in the Rudolfinum, as before. The organ took its place of honor in the auditorium, performances took place regularly, but the former Gallery building still did not correspond to its original purpose, it was occupied by the Academy of Arts and the classrooms of the Prague Conservatory.

In 1990, under the leadership of Karl Prager, who had previously reconstructed the building of the New Stage of the National Theatre, reconstruction of the building began in order to return it to its original appearance. Now Rudolfinum has again become what it was intended to be - a multi-purpose cultural center, an architectural monument, a symbol of the Czech national revival.

The Rudolfinum galleries opened in 1994. They are surprisingly modern, and at the same time fit into the architectural concept of the neo-Renaissance building. This is the best contemporary art venue in Prague.

The Antonin Dvořák Concert Hall seats 1,023 spectators, and its acoustics are recognized as the best in the country. It is the home venue of the Czech Philharmonic. The Small Hall has 211 seats and is named after Dvorak's student, the famous composer and teacher Josef Suk. Wonderful chamber music concerts take place here, and the famous Prague Spring festival takes place in the Rudolfinum.

There is a funny story connected with Rudolfinum. On the attic of the neo-Renaissance building there were statues of great musicians and composers. During the occupation, an order was issued to remove the statue of Mendelssohn from the facade, since he could not boast of Aryan origin. The soldiers, without further ado, chose the statue with the largest nose. True, it turned out to be Hitler's favorite composer, Richard Wagner.

Coordinates

Address: Alšovo nábřeží, 79/12, Prague 1.

How to get there: by tram number 17 or number 18 to the Staroměstská stop. The nearest metro station is Staroměstská.

Opening hours: galleries Tue-Tue and Fri-Sun 10:00-18:00, Thu 10:00-20:00. Concert halls: ticket offices 10:00-12:30 and 13.30-18.00, concerts start Mon-Fri: 19:30, Sat-Sun 12:00.

The cost of visiting the galleries is 100-150 CZK, a 50% discount is given to students and the elderly, children under 15 years of age, disabled people and accompanying persons; admission is free.

Prices on the page are as of August 2018.

Concert ticket prices: 150-1000 CZK, 50% discount available to students, disabled people and elderly people.

Cultural life revolves around the musical temple of the capital - Rudolfinum. People from all over the country and even neighboring European countries come here to hear what they want or to take part in an incredible spectacle. This building is visited along with and. Without a visit to Rudolfinum, your acquaintance with Prague will not be complete.

The name "Rudolfinum" is a concert hall, exhibition and gallery in the center of Prague. It is located in the center of the city square of Jan Palach. The building was designed by architects Josef Zitek and Josef Schulz and commissioned by the Savings Bank. Upon completion of the work, it was transferred to the city’s balance sheet as a gift from the financiers for the bank’s anniversary to the entire Czech people.

The gallery in Prague is called Rudolfinum in honor of Rudolf, Crown Prince of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. He became an honorary participant in the opening of the hall on February 7, 1885. Later, in 1918-1939, plenary sessions of the Czechoslovak Parliament were held in the concert hall.

After a grand reconstruction in 1990-1992, the Rudolfinum hall in Prague became the main concert venue of the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra. The concert hall seats 1023 spectators, the small one – 211.

The two-story building of the Rudolfinum cannot fail to impress. The Neo-Renaissance architectural style evokes admiration and respect for the skill of the project’s authors. The interior decoration also contains elements of a classical style. Along the outer perimeter of the building is decorated with sculptures of composers and illustrations of their works. The symbol of the Czech Savings Bank - the golden bee - is depicted on the chest of the building's classic guards - the sphinxes. Opposite the main entrance is Dvorak.

Rudolfinum in Prague became the very first cultural center in Europe, where various concerts, the Prague Spring festival, various exhibitions, etc. are held. The hall has excellent acoustics, allowing performances of any complexity to be held. Glass ceilings and a dimming system make it easy to organize art exhibitions in natural light.

How to get to Rudolfinum?

The concert hall is located on the Vltava embankment. If you are staying in one of the hotels near the Rudolfinum (Hotel UNIC Prague, Four Seasons Hotel Prague, Apartments Veleslavin, The Emblem Hotel, etc.), then you can walk to it, leisurely exploring the surrounding views of historical Prague. Not far from the cultural center there is the Staroměstská stop, which can be reached by bus No. 207 or trams No. 1, 2, 17, 18 and 25. The Staroměstská station is also located there.

You can get inside individually or as part of the Rudolfinum, as well as to an organized event: an exhibition or concert. The cost of an adult ticket is €4-6, students and older spectators receive a 50% size discount. Visitors under 15 years of age and accompanied disabled persons are admitted free of charge. Concert tickets cost €6-40, discounts apply to all types of cultural events at Rudolfinum.

Prague building Rudolfinum in the style of a bizarre neo-Renaissance, it was ahead of other similar buildings by almost a hundred years, becoming, in its thematic design, probably the very first multi-purpose cultural center in Europe.

History of Rudolfinum
It is noteworthy that initially the site “on Reidishti”, where the Rudolfinum is actually located today, was used for various outbuildings. It was only in the early 1870s that the Czech Savings Bank bought this site for the construction of the “House of Artists” (Dum umelcu), the construction of which was to mark the fiftieth anniversary of the founding of the bank.

And already in 1874, the Czech Bank invited several leading architects of the time to participate in an open competition for building designs, which planned to house a concert and exhibition hall under one roof.

The most famous Prague architects Ignaz Ullman, Josef Zitek, Antonin Barvicius, Frantisek Beniszek, Joseph Schulz, as well as Viennese masters such as A. Wielemann, Karl Kochlin, Otto Tienemann, George Niemann, F. Lunke were invited to participate in this competition.

As many as eight projects were presented to the strict and impartial jury, which consisted of venerable European architects. The winner was the joint project of Josef Zitek and Josef Schulz. In their letter, which was addressed to the management of the Czech Savings Bank, the chairmen of the jury advised focusing on this particular project, although it did not fully meet the requirements of the competition, it is the one that most accurately satisfies the artistic and functional requirements.

At the opening ceremony of the new building designed by the two Josephs, which took place on February 8, 1885, the most illustrious person was present - the Austrian Crown Prince Rudolf of Habsburg (Rudolph I), in fact, it was named “Rudolfinum” in his honor.

Initially, from the very first day, this majestic building housed the art gallery of the Society of Patriots - Friends of Art on a permanent basis. It was their most interesting collections that later became the first exhibits of the richest collections of the future National Gallery. In parallel with the art gallery, the Rudolfinum housed the Aesthetic Association, which organized many different exhibitions of contemporary art (1885-1929). And by 1896, the Czech Philharmonic began its vigorous activity there.

In 1918, the Rudolfinum was entrusted with responsibilities of a political nature, and it was there that the Parliament of the Czechoslovak Republic was temporarily located. And by 1920, Parliament had settled there on a permanent basis, once again confirming the rule: “there is nothing more permanent than temporary.” At the same time, part of the structure where the galleries were located underwent a radical restructuring, which affected the structure of the building as a whole, as well as individual rooms. Such a large-scale reconstruction even affected the concert hall - a huge organ was simply removed from it and replaced with a parliamentary tribune. The concert hall was partially restored only in the 1940s.

The world-famous Czech Philharmonic returned to the Rudolfinum only after the end of World War II. Although it should be noted that the gallery premises were previously used by the Conservatory and the Prague Academy of Performing Arts.

One of the concerts at Rudolfinum

Somewhat later, in 1990-1992, the building was again subjected to thorough reconstruction and modernization, according to the project of Karel Prager. The result of this work is truly amazing - the building has regained its original appearance, but what is really important is that the Rudolfinum has been returned to its historical original purpose - to bring art to the people. It again serves as a venue for various exhibitions and public concerts.

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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In the center of Prague, on Jan Palach Square, stands a monumental, majestic building in the neo-Renaissance style. Prague Rudolfinum is a real temple of art; it hosts concerts, competitions, festivals and various exhibitions. Europe's first multi-purpose cultural center was donated to the city by the Czech Savings Bank.

Rudolfinum. History of the Artists' Palace

Grandiose plans of Czech bankers

The Czech bank was preparing for its half-century anniversary, approaching the issue with the thoroughness inherent in bankers. Leading architects from different countries took part in an open competition for the design of the building, which was supposed to combine a concert and exhibition hall. A strict jury chose the joint project of Josef Zitek and his student Josef Schulz. Construction lasted for eight years and was officially completed on February 7, 1885.

Crown Prince Rudolf of Habsburg, heir to the Austrian throne, who arrived at the ceremony, determined with his presence the future name of the cultural center, now the whole world knows this building as “Rudolfinum”.

The Rudolfinum building, like the National Theater, symbolizes the Czech Renaissance.

Concerts and exhibitions. House of Arts

Since its opening, the building has housed the art gallery of the Society of Patriots. The Aesthetic Association launched its activities there and organized many exhibitions of contemporary art. And by the end of 1896, the Czech Philharmonic began working in the building.

Politics instead of music

The mission of the cultural center was interrupted in 1919. The government of the independent Czechoslovak state was looking for a solid building in the city center for parliamentary meetings, and chose the Rudolfinum. The building underwent a ruthless reconstruction, galleries and individual rooms were rebuilt. Even the concert hall, whose organ was replaced by a parliamentary tribune, was damaged.

During the Nazi occupation, the building was again reconstructed, and concerts were resumed.

After the end of World War II, the parliament returned to the building for a short time, giving way to the Czech Philharmonic in 1946.

Abode of two muses. Rudolfinum today

Back to the roots

After partial reconstruction, the organ was returned to the concert hall, and the Philharmonic continued its performances. However, the former Gallery building was occupied by the Academy of Arts and the auditorium of the Prague Conservatory.

In 1990, a large-scale reconstruction began under the patronage of the experienced architect Karl Prager, during which the building was returned to its original purpose. The historical monument has returned to its original state, delighting Prague residents and guests of the city with the nobility of style, and inside there are galleries and concert halls, according to the original project.

Fashion trends. Emphasis on contemporary art

The galleries of the Rudolfinum, re-opened in 1994, amaze with the grandeur of their architectural concepts. Glass ceilings allow you to enjoy works of art in daylight, and modern dimming systems and artificial light sources can be used to enhance the effect. The huge size (1500 m2) allows for large-scale exhibitions.

The art gallery is the best contemporary art venue in Prague, and the exquisite interiors provide the perfect backdrop.

Concert halls

The renovated Dvorak Hall seats 1,023, and its acoustics are considered the best in the country.
This is the home venue of the Czech Philharmonic.
The small hall, designed for 211 seats, was named after Dvorak’s student, composer and excellent teacher, Josef Suk. It hosts chamber music concerts.
Rudolfinum is the main concert venue of the Czech Philharmonic, and its halls are the center of the famous Prague Spring festival.

Classical music concerts at Rudolfinum

Beauty and symmetry. Exterior and interior

Decoration of the city. Exterior and architecture

Rudolfinum is a wonderful example of the Neo-Renaissance. Its attic was decorated with statues of great composers, whose works are depicted as allegories on the palace building.

The golden bee, the symbol of the Czech Savings Bank, is repeated on the chest of the stone sphinxes and in the main hall of the palace.
In front of the building there is a monument to Antonin Dvořák, and in front of the facade there are 14-meter high lamps on bronze pedestals.

All the best. Interior of the cultural center

The interior of the building harmoniously combines neo-Renaissance and classical styles. The symmetry of the layout successfully divides the space into independent parts.
The Dvorak Hall looks very solemn with its semicircular amphitheater and high columns. There are busts of famous musical figures in the hall, but the paintings intended to decorate the walls were never painted.

The interior decoration of the small hall, built later, corresponds to the original style of the remaining rooms.
The new cafe, opened on the site of the former exhibition hall, deserves attention. This is a spacious, bright room, decorated with Corinthian columns.

An annoying oversight

There is a story that during the occupation in 1939, the Imperial Protector ordered the statue of Mendelssohn to be removed from the attic and destroyed, given its non-Aryan origin. The soldiers, not particularly familiar with history or music, chose the statue with the largest nose and began dismantling the statue of Wagner, Adolf Hitler's favorite composer.
The mistake was noticed and the culprits were punished. However, in the confusion, someone managed to hide the unfortunate Mendelssohn, and after the war the statue was returned to its place.

general information

Gallery

Schedule:

• Tuesday Wednesday; Friday-Sunday: 10:00-18:00
• Thursday: 10:00-20:00

Ticket prices: 100-150 CZK (Czech crowns)
A 50% discount is available for students and senior citizens.
For children under 15 years old, disabled people and accompanying persons, admission is free.

Concert halls

Schedule ticket office: 10:00 - 12:30; 13.30-18.00

Start of concerts:

• Monday-Friday: 19:30
• Saturday-Sunday: 12:00

Ticket prices: 150 - 1000 CZK

A 50% discount is provided to students, disabled people and elderly people.