Municipal house interior

THE GROUND FLOOR beyond the main entrance from Namesti Republiky contains a lounge with marble wainscoting and an Oriental mosaic floor created by G. Petrucci. On the sides of the doors to the halls are two bronze reliefs representing Fauna and Flora, an excellent work done by B. Kafka. Light fittings and heater guards are a stylish addition left from the latest renovation.

The stucco decoration was created by F. Kraumann and his workshop, wooden wainscoting, boxes as well as original tables were all made by the firm Ant. Baumgartl & Son. In the main spacious room are allegorical scenes painted by J. Wenig, on a side wall there is a scene of "Prague welcoming its visitors", on the left of the entrance to the elevated section is an allegory of Hop­growing, on the right is a Wine­growing allegory. On the wall in the upper section, original wallpaper was discovered and renovated. The painting Western View of a Prague Evening by V. Tomec was in 1938 replaced by the painting Hradcany and Novy Svet in Spring by A. Zahela. Light fittings made by F. Anyz as well as clocks were renovated and completed according to historical documentation. In the recesses of the windows new lamps have been hung, which were newly made according to the original ones which have not survived.

In the opposite half of the front section of the House, towards the Powder Tower is a CAFE furnished with original wainscoting, partition walls as well as mahogany partition tables with benches covered with leather. On the front wall in the Cafe there is a light fountain with a Nymph relief made by J. Pekarek of Carrara marble. The light fittings made by F. Krizik which had been devalued by later renovations were finally renovated according to the original documentation.

On the left of the staircase is an entrance to the NEW FOYER. This space serves among other purposes as a CULTURAL AND INFORMATION CENTER and a refreshment buffet. In the back it is connected with the Central Cloakroom by a newly built stairway.

THE MAIN STAIRWAY TO THE BASEMENT has ceramic wainscoting with decorative panelling and with scenes of historical Prague which have been implemented by the Rakovník factory RAKO according to the design by E. Hlavin. On the landing there are decorative reliefs by A. Mara. The metal hand­rails are precisely detailed.

In the BASEMENT the stairway is followed by a lower foyer with a ceramic­wainscoted fountain and an original ceramic ornamental floor. The light fittings are new. In the middle of the foyer there is the entrance to the AMERICAN BAR. The bar was decorated with colored drawings by M. Ales in the period 1910–1911. In 1921 these were replaced with copies made by A. Neumann of which six were in 1997 again replaced with new copies made by R. Klouza. On the pilasters decorated with replicas of original black ceramic tiles there are six drawings, these being : "A cooper", "A countrywoman with a goose", "A (female) gardener", "A butcher", "A cook with a fish" and "A beater with a hare". In the boxes on both sides of the bar which was newly constructed according to old drawings there are the following scenes "At the hunt", "Arrival of a lord to a pub", "Annual hop feasting in a pub" and "A carnival Tuesday". In the middle of the vault with gilded "rain" hangs an original chandelier with a drawing of a heron. The light fitting was made by F. Krizik. Other light fittings have not been preserved and are replaced with replicas. In the basement under the French Restaurant is the PILSEN RESTAURANT, decorated with three paintings by J. Obrovsky which are inserted within a ceramic mosaic : "Harvest in Bohemia" hanging on the wall by the bar and a Boy and a Girl beside a vaulted entrance into the elevated section. The damaged original furnishings by J. Sadilek have been renovated and completed with replicas including the boxes by the windows, tables and chairs. Old drawings and documentation were used for making new light fittings and clocks. Ceramic tiles with city emblems as well as decorative window­panes are originals.

The decorative vases are reconstructions according to a single original which was preserved. Opposite the bar is a WINE­BAR where there is original wooden panelling, made by J. Sadilek with inset relief ceramic tiles and mirrors. Stucco decorations were created by F. Kraumann. The remarkable inlaid work around the small stage which had been mostly damaged is now restored as a replica of the original. Of the original light fittings only two lamps on posts by the entrance to the bar have been preserved. The chandeliers are replicas. Wall light fittings are a stylish new accessory. Particularly interesting are the original decorative window panes.

In the central part of the elevated ground floor is the CENTRAL CLOAKROOM, newly decorated, but with a high proportion of original furnishings still in use, namely metal hooks and mirrors on pilasters. A new terracotta floor has replaced the original ceramic floor. The wall light fittings are replicas of the originals which have not been preserved and the copies were created according to photographs from 1912. The bars were newly manufactured according to the originals. The benches and ceiling light fittings are stylish new accessories.

The Cafe gallery continues into GAMING ROOMS with a corridor and a large pool­playing hall. It can be accessed also from a side staircase which can be entered from the street U Prasne brany. The original furnishings which have not been preserved as a whole include sections of wainscoting, frontal wall with mirrors in the pool­playing hall, heater guards and benches in the corridor as well as a furniture wall in the card­playing room. Here, as well as in the large pool hall, the light fittings were made according to the preserved drawings. Other furnishings have been made during the reconstruction in order to meet the demands of the contemporary function of gaming rooms but these were also inspired by the period documentation.

On the elevated ground floor, accessible from the street U Obecniho domu there are CLOAKROOMS FOR THE ORCHESTRA MEMBERS. Of the original furnishings only doors and the corridor decoration with original light fittings by F. Anyz have remained. In the corridor, busts of the conductors V. Smetacek and V. Talich have been placed.

From the mezzanine to the upper floors lead the wings of the MAIN STAIRWAY with steps made of Carrarra marble and the balustrades made of Slivenec marble. Stuccoes were created by A. Strunc. Original light fittings which were made by F. Krizik have been renovated. The stairway is finished with original latticework around the elevator shafts, there are also notice boards, decorative window­panes and mirrors.

The first floor is occupied by the MAIN FOYER with original light fittings, magnificent figural and ornamental decoration and with its walls covered by artificial marble. The foyer forms an entrance into the central space of the Municipal House which is the SMETANA HALL. The hall occupies the entire central section of the house and is several floors high. The hall, designed as a multi­purpose space, has on its front side a stage flanked by two stuccoed sculpture groups by L. Saloun - Vysehrad and Slavonic dances. The ceiling and wall frescos - allegories of Music, Dance, Poetry and Drama were created by K. Spillar. On the balcony and box ledges there are plaques and portraits of the Czech composers Jan of Holesov, Bohuslav of Cechtice, Krystof Harant of Polzice and Bezdruzice, Vaclav Jan Tomasek, Frantisek Skroup, Vilem Blodek, Karel Bendl and Zdenek Fibich by J. Kalvoda.

Under the vault pendentives there are four sculptures by K. Novak, who participated together with L. Kofranek and J. Kalvoda in creating other stucco elements which can be seen in the hall. Woodwork and the woodcarved panelling of the stage was done by J. Navratil. Some of the original furnishings include ceiling glass panes, lattice covering the air­condtioning devices, made by A. Cada and J. Simunek, mirrors, chairs in the boxes and light fittings, which were made by F. Cvrk and the firm Suda Kotesovec. In the gilded lamps, set in long strings on the ceiling, the milky­tinted opaque glass was replaced in 1936 with the original cut glass. This arrangement was executed according to a design by P. Janak.

The hall is dominated by the organ, which was made by J. Tucek, around which is a gilded­bronze relief of B. Smetana by F. Hergesel. The organ was renovated by the firm Vleugels, which is the successor of the original service subcontractor to J. Tucek of the firm E. F. Wachler. From the National Museum collections the original organ bench was returned to the hall and was recently accompanied by a new electronic one. The original richly ornamented curtain and covers in the honorary boxes have been renovated. The decoration was completed by curtains on the doors and windows of the balcony. The chandeliers above the stage and balcony which were originally equipped with arched lamps made by F. Krizik have been replaced by replicas made according to photographs taken in 1912.

The portal with the City of Prague emblem above the doorway connects the foyer with the MAYOR HALL containing A. Mucha's paintings. The ceiling fresco "Slavic Concorde" with an eagle in the centre is "carried" by eight pendentives on which human virtues are shown, personified by Czech historical characters : Faithfulness - J. A. Komensky, Strength - Vojtech of Pernstejn, Vigilance - the Chods, Intractibility - Jan Rohac of Duba, Independence - Jirí of Podebrady, Justice - Jan Hus, Maternal Wisdom - Eliska of Premyslides, Militancy - Jan Zizka. The three wall frescos were inspired by the texts : "Saint Mother of Nation, accept the love and enthusiasm of your sons !" "Humiliated and tortured you are but you shall be revived, my country !" "With strength towards freedom, with love towards concorde". According to Mucha's design doorway curtains were sewn by the students of the City Industrial Continuing School. The curtains have been preserved and renovated. Window­panes were designed by A. Mucha and installed by V. Stanek and J. Sebek. Original furniture provided with an interesting silver finish was made by J. Krejcik. Indirect lighting of the hall space was arranged to meet the proposal of A. Mucha. Two decorative panels, set in the heater guards above the sofas are replicas of the original colored drawings by A. Mucha. The original drawings can be seen at the Museum of the City of Prague.

The RIEGR ROOM with his bust by J. V. Myslbek is decorated by two frescos by Max Svabinsky - Spring in Bohemia, 1913. In the lunette above the doorframe are portraits of J. V. Myslbek, Mikolas Ales, Josef Manes, Bedrich Smetana and Antonin Dvorak. In another lunette there are pictures of Svatopluk Cech, Jan Neruda, Jaroslav Vrchlicky, Bozena Nemcova and Julius Zeyer. Original wall panelling as well as furnishings by J. Navratil have been renovated and finished with embossed gilding. There is a plaque in the wall, with a text of Riegr's arguments at the Czech Kingdom Assembly gathering on May 25, 1867. The library which is located in this room is crowned with a Prague allegory by J. Pekarek. The stucco ornamentation was created by A. Strunc. The light fittings in the room are originals, the embroidered covers and upholstery have been remade according to old photographs and little fragments of the original material.

The SLADKOVSKY HALL, originally named the Lecture Hall, has been preserved in its original appearance including wall panelling and light fittings. Around the stage there is highly unique, renovated wallpaper which is intended to imitate silk. Above the heater guard with a lattice made by A. Cada is a painting of a landscape by J. Ullmann. Dr. Sladkovský's bust has been returned to its place in the hall. The bust was created by L. Kofranek. Stencilled paintwork has been reproduced to match the original appearance.

In the wing beside the street U Obecního domu, there are DINING­ROOMS, a set of four rooms, connected by sliding doors with colored door panes, with original wainscoting, mirrors and clocks. The wallpaper used there was newly manufactured according to the fragments of the paper that were found. The light fittings are made to a sensitive new design.

The room which was previously used for preparation of meals has been made into a sitting room, matching the style of the diningrooms. A painting of Cesky Krumlov from the collections of the Municipal House by A. Liebscher now hangs here.

Between the Mayor Hall and the Grégr Hall is the PALACKY HALL with decorative canvases by Jan Preisler made 1910-1912, installed on the walls and the ceilings. Between the windows is a bust of Frantisek Palacky, created by sculptor Myslbek. The bust is placed on a marble pedestal. The light fittings in this hall are originals and were supplied by F. Krizik.

The GREGR HALL, originally called the Debating Hall, is decorated by a ceiling fresco triptych - Life, Poetry, and Death, dating from 1911 and three later paintings, Love Song, Battle Song and Burial Song.

The paintings were hung there in 1914. These canvases were created by F. Zenisek. The walls are covered with artificial marble laid to an intricate design. On the pier between the windows there is a bust of Dr. J. Gregr by E. Halman. The stucco decoration was created by A. Novak. The balcony hand­rail used to be decorated by a cover which has not been preserved. The original light fittings and chandeliers were made by F. Krizik.

From the hall stage a CORRIDOR LEADS TO THE POWDER TOWER. The corridor was recently arranged to accommodate gatherings. Inside the wing facing the street U Prasne brany there are a row of rooms for social meetings, called the Ladies‚ Debating Rooms.

THE ORIENTAL ROOM, which was originally called the Serbian Room, still has the original stencil paintwork and ornamental stucco decoration with in­set colored glass. The furnishings, along with benches, window panes and the recently comple-ted chandeliers which previously had some elements missing, have been preserved, including cushions and some curtains. Their present appearance follows that of 1912.

The adjacent BOZENA NEMCOVA ROOM has a fountain in a mosaic­tiled recess. The fountain was created according to O. Polívka's design. The ceramic pylon is decorated with a subtly­glazed sculpture of B. Nemcova, recently re­made according to a photograph.

Through the doorway we can walk into the MORAVIA­SLOVAKIAN ROOM which is decorated with an enchanting painting with original embroidered lambrequins, accompanied with hand­weaved curtains with beads. Original furnishings in the room include the wall­panelling, leather­covered benches, marble table tops and chandeliers. A unique period accessory is the aquarium. The leather­upholstered armchairs were recently made according to an old photograph.

The largest room of this wing is a FORMER CONFECTIONERY with a rich stucco decoration and mirror walls and original light fittings. On the pillar at the alcove, there is a painting by V. Jansa showing the town of Tabor. Other original fittings in the room include glass cabinets, benches, several tables with gilded footrests and marble tops as well as the lower part of the counter. The upper part of the counter has been renovated according to old drawings as well as the chairs and tables.

The adjacent CONDUCTOR'S ROOM was created by converting the former kitchens, whose ceramic tiles with floral ornaments have been covered by wainscoting. The room's furnishings originate from 1996-1997.

The CORRIDOR BESIDE THE RIEGR AND SLADKOVSKY HALLS, with the mirrors and doors with allegorical wooden relief panels above the threshold, is connected with a second corridor beside the diningrooms which has original light fittings and mirrors.

The corridor just before the Gregr Hall has copper lamps and furnishings by J. Macoun, and connects with a corridor alongside the rooms and confectionery. This other corridor has original wall­panelling and a sofa, made by J. Belik. The wall­paper is an almost identical replica of the original.

From the corridors near the side entrances to the Smetana Hall NEW STAIRWAYS have been built, leading to the side boxes and balconies. The new entrances are positioned in place of the original mirrors, which have been removed and are now in the performers' dressing rooms.

On the SECOND FLOOR in the wing leading towards Namesti Republiky (the Square of Republic) is an UPPER FOYER with stuccoed sculptures beside the entrances to the main balcony of the Smetana Hall, with an original round table with a marble top. In the opposite wall there is the portal into the HOLLAR HALL which is a circular room with a glass ceiling and silver­plated light fittings. The hall is connected on both sides with the EXHIBITION HALLS which are equipped with upper lighting, original light fittings and curtains around paintings.

In the SECOND MEZZANINE there used to be the GATHERING and CLUB ROOMS. In the wing facing the street U Obecniho domu, in the former rooms of the gentlemen's club and agrarian club, there are now two memorial plaques commemorating the events of October 28, 1918.

The plaque by J. Sejnosta (1921) with the portraits of the so named "Men of October 28th": F. Soukup, A. Rasin, A. Svehla, J. Stribrny and V. Srobar was designed by V. Hofman. The plaque bears a text written by historian J. Pekar : "This room witnessed the making of history, here in this room the National Committee held its meeting, awaiting the fall of the Austrian empire and making preparations for Czech liberation. Here on the triumphal day of 28 October 1918 the committee took over the power of the Czech lands, here Komensky's words fulfilled : ,The rule over your matters shall be returned to you, Czech people.'"

In the next room of the gentlemen's club is a plaque commemorating the takeover of military power by the National Committee. The sign says : "In this room of a gentlemen's club, where the Czech will, Czech suffering, Czech defiance and Czech belief had been expressed through the friendly concorde of the government members from the very first day of the World War, there between the evening hours of 8 and 9 o'clock on the grand day of our history of 28 October 1918, the former Austrian military power of the 8th army corps was taken over by the National Committee."

On the upper floors where there used to be flats, laundries, etc. there are now offices. The space in the back of the house serves now for performers' dressing rooms and the technical facilities of the Smetana Hall. There is also a new rehearsal room here and in the former attic is a large apartment with a view of Prague Castle.