Liechtenstein Palace (Lichtenštejnský palác) at Lesser Town Square ((Malostranské náměstí) was the first large Baroque building to be constructed in Prague. Located opposite the entrance to St. Nicholas Church, the palace dominates one side of the upper section of the square.
Liechtenstein Palace was built in 1591 on the site of 5 renaissance houses. In the 18th century, the palace was remodelled in the classical style, part of a wider project to rebuild the Lesser Town Square with classical architecture. The works were commissioned by the Liechtenstein family and undertaken by Matyáš Hummel.
Liechtenstein Palace then passed through a number of hands, over the centuries developing a strong musical tradition, until it was acquired by the Academy of Musical Arts in the 1980s.
Its most recent major reconstruction was carried out by Pavel Kupka, and completed in 1992. The palace has a beautiful light blue and cream facade, with deep orange terracotta roof tiles, and simply gleams in the sunshine.
The interior of Liechtenstein Palace has been adjusted to meet the needs of the Academy. There are several concert halls and music salons, all boasting terrific acoustics. The main concert hall, Bohuslav Martinů Hall, has been refurbished with classical style seating.
Liechtenstein Palace is protected as a cultural monument of Czechia. With its rich musical heritage, and as the permanent home of the Academy of Musical Arts in Prague, the building serves both as a music conservatory and as a venue for classical music concerts. The concerts are staged throughout the year, played by chamber orchestras formed of musicians from the Prague Symphony Orchestra and Czech Philharmonic. In winter, Liechtenstein Palace is heated for the concerts.
Note: Liechtenstein Palace is not to be confused with another building of the same name on Kampa Island. This Liechtenstein Palace at the Lesser Town Square is the main one.
View listings and book concert tickets. |