| a) separately no doubt the most imposing hall in the Prague Castle. Its origin goes
back to the times of the Emperor Rudolf II. Since that it was many times rebuilt and
redesigned, nevertheless it did not loose it splendid and monumental character. Some
details are still original as they were in the beginning of 17th century.
Nowadays it is used for presidential elections, state receptions, official ceremonies and
concerts. |
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| Detail:
The hall was designed for the safekeeping of the Rudolf II collections and also for the
official ceremonies. Originally, the hall has two ”naves” and was divided by the
wooden columns. In the first half of the 18th century its ceiling was elevated and thanks
to this new concept, the columns were removed an the hall become more spacious. The hall
was of course rebuilt in the times of Maria Teresa and than also in the beginning of 19th
century. The last reconstructions were made in 1865 and 1868 for the coronation of Franz
Josef I. The Emperor did not keep his word and the coronation ceremony never took place in
the Prague Castle and the Spanish Hall. The hall is really stunning, it is 43m / 129feet /
long, 21m / 63 feet / wide and 12m / 36 feet/ high. With its beautiful stucco gold plated
decoration, enormous chandeliers and large mirrors reflecting the light and enlarging
optically the space. |
| b) Spanish hall
and Northern wing of the Prague Castle: Normally the visitors can not appreciate the beauty of the Representative
rooms hidden behind the façade of the Prague castle. This tour will give a unique
opportunity to discover rooms used by the Habsburg Emperors and today by the president of
the Czech Republic. |
Detail: We will stroll trough several salons designed
in late baroque and early rococo style, richly decorated by gold plated plasters equipped
with baroque stoves and furniture. On of the most interesting ones is Habsburg salon. This
section of the Prague underwent a massive change during the times of Maria Theresa; in the
Habsburg salon we can find detailed picture gallery of her family, including her son
Joseph II, her daughter and later on French queen Marie Antoinette etc. In Mirror salon
usually state receptions and official events take place, in Social salon the president of
the Czech Republic usually names new members of the government. Trough Janak’s hall we
will continue trough the wide corridor, built in the times or Rudolf II for his
collections, to southern wing of the Prague. In Rothmayer’s hall and Plecnick’s hall
of columns we can admire modern architecture, or better say its contribution to the
grandeur of the Prague Castle. The Rudolf’s Gallery and Spanish hall will crown our
tour. No doubt the most imposing halls in the Prague Castle. Both were built in the times
of the Emperor Rudolf II. Since that it was many times rebuilt and redesigned,
nevertheless it did not loose it splendid and monumental character. The Spanish hall is
really stunning, it is 43m / 129feet / long, 21m / 63 feet / wide and 12m / 36 feet/ high.
With its beautiful stucco gold plated decoration, enormous chandeliers and large mirrors
reflecting the light and enlarging optically the space. |
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