Rudolfinum

The Rudolfinum was built between 1876 and 1884 by Josef Zitek and Josef Schulz, the National Theatre architects, as a house for music and art, and its Dvorak Hall is one of the older purpose-built concert halls in Europe still in continuous use, with an acoustic that is well regarded and an organ of 1884. Antonin Dvorak conducted the inaugural concert of the Czech Philharmonic here in 1896, and the orchestra has been resident ever since; the Prague Spring festival uses the hall. Between 1919 and 1939 the building served as the seat of the Czechoslovak parliament, and it was returned to music after the war. The Galerie Rudolfinum in part of the building shows contemporary art. The riverside terrace looks across to Prague Castle. The statues of composers on the balustrade were removed and replaced during the occupation, which is a story the building tells.

What you actually see

• The Dvorak Hall - among the older purpose-built concert halls still in use.
• The Czech Philharmonic - resident since Dvorak conducted the first concert in 1896.
• A parliament for twenty years - the building's use between 1919 and 1939.
• A contemporary art gallery - the Galerie Rudolfinum in part of the house.

When to go

All year, in the concert season. An evening.

Honest expectations

The hall is properly seen with a concert ticket; tours are occasional. Prague Spring performances sell out months ahead. The gallery is a separate ticket and closes between exhibitions.

Nearby

The Jewish quarter is behind; Charles Bridge is a short walk upstream.