Municipal House (Obecní dům)
Municipal House (Obecní dům) is one of the narrated stops on the self-guided Prague audio walking tour in Gingerguide. Plan about ~30 min here. Press play at the spot for its two to three minute story, or ask the AI guide anything about it.
- Type landmark
- Suggested visit ~30 min
- Prague Prague guide
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About Municipal House (Obecní dům)
An Art Nouveau landmark of 1905 to 1912 on the old King's Court, decorated by Mucha and others, home to Smetana Hall and tied to Czechoslovak independence in 1918.
The Municipal House (Obecní dům) stands on Náměstí Republiky, on the site of the former King's Court, the residence of Bohemian kings from the late fourteenth century until the 1480s, which later became a barracks and was demolished. Built between 1905 and 1912 by the architects Antonín Balšánek and Osvald Polívka, it is one of the most celebrated Art Nouveau buildings in Prague, decorated by a roll-call of Czech artists including Alfons Mucha, Max Švabinský, Jan Preisler, Josef Václav Myslbek and Ladislav Šaloun.
Mucha decorated the Lord Mayor's Hall alone, with murals on Slavic unity and civic virtue. At the building's core is Smetana Hall, home of the Prague Symphony Orchestra and the venue that opens the Prague Spring festival each year with Smetana's Má vlast. On 28 October 1918 the independent Czechoslovak state was proclaimed in Prague, an event closely tied to this house.
Did you know? Despite a common tour-guide shortcut, Alfons Mucha did not design the Municipal House; the architects were Antonín Balšánek and Osvald Polívka. Mucha only decorated a single room, the upstairs Lord Mayor's Hall.
How long should you spend at Municipal House (Obecní dům)?
Plan about ~30 min at Municipal House (Obecní dům). That is enough to take it in and hear its narrated story; stay longer if it grabs you. The tour is self-guided, so there is no rush.
Is Municipal House (Obecní dům) worth visiting?
Municipal House (Obecní dům) is one of the 35 sights the Gingerguide team researched and narrated in Prague, so it earns a place on a self-guided walk. Its story explains why it matters, and you can ask the AI guide anything the story leaves open.
Nearby stops in Prague
Day 2 of the Prague in 2 days itinerary →Day 3 of the Prague in 3 days itinerary →
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Hear the story of Municipal House (Obecní dům)
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