Prague
The Rudolfinum is a Neo-Renaissance palace for music and art, opened in 1885. Today it is the home of the Czech Philharmonic.
A gift for everyone
The Bohemian Savings Bank wanted to celebrate an anniversary with a gift to the city. It was to be a home for music and art. Art, they said, belongs to everyone.
The design chosen was by Josef Zítek and Josef Schulz. Work began in June 1876 and the palace opened in 1885.
Musicians in stone
On the roof balustrade stand statues of great composers, such as Handel, Beethoven, Mozart and Bach. On either side of the staircase are figures that represent the arts. At the entrances there are pairs of lions and other stone figures.
Concerts and history
In 1896 the Czech Philharmonic played here for the first time. Between the two World Wars the palace had another use, then went back to music.
In 1946 the first Prague Spring festival was held here. The restoration of 1990–1992 brought the palace back to its original look.
Today concerts for everyone, including families, are held in the main hall. The gallery rooms show exhibitions of modern and contemporary art.
