Rudolfinum

The Rudolfinum is the headquarters of the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, the centre of the prestigious Prague Spring International Music Festival and the Galerie Rudolfinum.

The Rudolfinum is one of the most important neo-Renaissance buildings and was designed by Czech architects Josef Zítek (who also built the National Theatre) and Josef Schulz (who built the National Museum).

The construction of the Rudolfinum was funded by the Česká spořitelna bank on the occasion of its 50th anniversary. It was named in honour of Rudolf, Crown Prince of Austria. The construction including fittings was completed eight years after its foundations were laid in 1876. It cost Česká spořitelna two million gulden. Since the beginning, it was designed as a multi-purpose building – it hosted the visual arts, music, and a department of applied arts.

In the interwar period, the Rudolfinum was the seat of the Chamber of Deputies of the National Assembly, which led to interventions in the building's original concept. In 1923 it became the property of the State. During the Second World War, the Rudolfinum was reconstructed for the German Philharmonic Orchestra, which saved its concert hall character. The reconstruction was directed by architects Antonín Engel and Bohumír Kozák, and thanks in particular to Engel the valuable Dvořák Hall was saved and its acoustics were improved. In addition to the Dvořák Hall, visitors can also visit the Suk Hall, the Jan Kubelík Memorial Hall or the Hall of Columns. The building also houses the Galerie Rudolfinum.

The first Prague Spring Festival was held in Prague in 1946. The Rudolfinum is a national cultural monument.