The Rudolfinum has presented fine art and music for 133 years. The impressive building was not built by the nobility, the Church, or the monarch, as was the custom, but by businessmen and banks. It was another example of the changes in the Czech society in the late 19th century.

Concerts and exhibitions

Situated near the Old Town Square and with a view of Prague Castle, the Rudolfinum project had great ambitions – to provide the city inhabitants with a multi-purpose building for both exhibitions and music concerts. The unique neo-Renaissance house was built between 1876 and 1884 and named after the successor to the Austro-Hungarian throne, the crown prince Rudolf, and it came up to the expectations. The only exception was the period after 1918, when the representative Rudolfinum served as the Chamber of Deputies of the newly established Czechoslovak Republic.

The home of the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra

In 1946, the renowned Czech Philharmonic Orchestra returned to the Rudolfinum, and it has resided in the building until today. The orchestra is made up of more than 120 musicians in 16 instrument groups. Its first concert, conducted by composer Antonín Dvořák, took place in the Rudolfinum in 1896. Classical music concerts in the building are popular even today.

The celebration of the 100th anniversary of Czechoslovakia

To celebrate the 100th anniversary of Czechoslovakia, the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra has prepared an exceptional audiovisual installation My Country, combining music, art, design, and architecture. You can enjoy large format screens in a special darkened construction and listen to Smetana’s Vltava and Janáček’s Sinfonietta performed by the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra. The touring installation will be on display in the Rudolfinum until 20 August.

The gallery for adults, the Artpark for children

In addition to the concert hall, there is also a large gallery of contemporary art, an art-house cinema, a zone for children (Artpark), and a newly opened café. Thus, the whole family can enjoy themselves at the Rudolfinum at once: adults can visit the exhibitions, while children can take part in interactive projects and artistic workshops at the Artpark which is a great place even for the little ones.

How to get there

The historic building is situated next to the Vltava River at Alšovo Embankment near Jana Palacha Square. Since it is in the city centre, close to the Old Town Square, use the public transport: take the green A metro line to Staroměstská or Malostranská station (and walk along the Mánes bridge), or the 18 or 17 tram or the 207 bus to the Staroměstská stop.