Obecní Dùm (The Municipal House)
At the epicenter of Art Nouveau in Prague, Obecní Dùm is a gorgeous collection of glasswork, murals, mosaics, and lush adornment. An ensemble of artists of the period joined together to create it's present grandeur; Josef Maratka & Ladislav Salamoun painted the intricate facade, Karel Špillar created the the mosaic work,
Alfons Mucha, Jan Preisler, Max Svabinský, Václav Jansa, & many others decorated the remainder of the building.
Built between 1903 and 1912 by architects Antonin Balsanek and Osvald Polivka, Obecní Dùm contrasts sharply beside the gothic Prasná Brána (
Dust Gate) tower. Through the years the site has changed hands many times, it housed the court of King Charles IV towards the end of the 14th century, in the 1600's it was bought by a cardinal who founded a seminary, still later it served as both an army barracks & military academy.
English language tours are available, but must be specially arranged, so contact (
info@obecni-dum.cz or phone 420 2 22 002 101) them before arrival. Obecní Dum houses two beautiful restaurants (one French & one Czech) & an ornate cafe, at the least stop for pastry and coffee to soak in the history. The gift shop housed in the basement is replete with a rich stock of prints, cards, jewelry, books, and more. The lovely print by Karel Špillar purchased in this shop is one of my treasured souvenirs of Prague.
Find Obecní Dum
here.