Low angle view of the balcony - Prague, Czech Republic
Posted by: 
ToRo61
N 50° 05.251 E 014° 25.705
33U E 459110 N 5548516
The details of the entrance portal of the Municipal House
Waymark Code: WM18745
Location: Hlavní město Praha, Czechia
Date Posted: 06/12/2023
Views: 4
The entrance to the Municipal House building is covered by a forward balcony. The balcony is on the 1st floor level and is supported by two columns. On the tops of the columns are bronze sculptures of light-bearers with electric lamps by Karel Novák. The balcony is equipped with a barrier in the centre of which the Prague emblem is placed. The railing with the emblem is the main motif of this puzzle.
"The Municipal House stands at the site of the royal residence called King's Court. It was a building from the time of Wenceslas IV around 1383, which served as an interim dwelling of King Zikmund; Ladislav Pohrobek died here and the coronation procession of Jirí z Podebrad started its journey here. However, after 1490 Jagellons moved their seat to Buda and pledged the King’s Court in 1515. In 1631 Cardinal Arnošt Vojtech Harrach redeemed it in order to establish the Archbishop Seminary there (from 1636). After the abolishment of the Jesuit order the seminar was moved to Klementinum and the army obtained the building. Králodvorská barracks remained here until 1869 and consequently the military cadet school was here. The King's Court was demolished in 1902 - 1903.
Externally, the Municipal House is a historic relic of 19th century, the mixture of pseudo-renaissance and pseudo-Baroque, but generally it is considered an important example of Prague Art Nouveau. The whole building is a testament to the skills and unprecedented quality of art and craft; the building was also very modern in terms of the used state of-the-art technological facilities in Central Europe at that time unprecedented. There were 28 electrical and hydraulic lifts, air-conditioning system with remote control, pneumatic post, central vacuum cleaner, modern telephone exchange, ice factory, refrigerator and the most modern kitchen there. There was also one of the largest electro-pneumatic organ in the whole monarchy there. For the first time linoleum, then a cry of progress, as well as brass and other materials were used here in a great extent. All the known arts and crafts are represented in the interior; these products show a sense of beauty and utility: stained glass, clocks, wooden and ceramic tiles, natural and artificial marbles, free furniture sets, mirrors, drapery, heating and ventilation covers and namely lighting sets made of non-ferrous metals and glass (mostly designed by František Anýž and implemented by Križík company). The Municipal House was an expression of the confidence of the Czech nation and was conceived as its celebration. Also the spectacular decoration and politically motivated names of halls corresponded to that."
Source and more information: (
visit link)