Do you need help deciding which buildings to visit during Open House Prague 2025 on the weekend of May 17–18, or are you just looking for inspiration? Below is a list of carefully selected buildings that represent Prague’s architectural diversity as well as this year’s must-see places. You can visit several gems of early 20th century architecture, modern schools, or European embassies and even Prague Castle. Our selection will take you to the heart of Prague as well as other city districts, such as Holešovice, Smíchov, or Suchdol. Most of these buildings offer English tours (as marked by the EN icon), which take place continually throughout the day. No prior registration is needed. Let’s go on a trip around the Czech capital!
Early 20th Century
Adria Palace
The monumental palace on the corner of Jungmann Square is one of Prague’s few buildings built in the national style. This purely Czech artistic style (also called Art Deco, rondocubism, or Czech deconstructivism) incorporated references to folklore, Slavic colorfulness, and a greater amount of decorativeness. At the time, it was very popular among the public, but it was criticized by younger generations of architects that followed. Today’s art historians agree that Adria Palace is one of the most fascinating architectural monuments in Prague, commending the decorations and details. Come take a closer look at this unique example of the architecture of the First Czechoslovak Republic!
Diamant
There are only a few examples of cubist architecture in Prague, and Diamant, an apartment building located on the corner of Spálená and Lazarská Street, is one of them. It was most likely designed by architect Emil Králíček, author of the famous cubist lamp on Jungmann Square. Once inhabited by writer, illustrator and diplomat Adolf Hoffmeister, the three-story building boasts a distinctive cubist facade with crystal motifs. Many original furnishings have been restored, such as chandeliers, lamps, staircase fences, doors, or etched window glass. Another remarkable feature – deemed controversial at the time of construction – is the cubist arch above the baroque sculpture of John of Nepomuk.
Dunaj Palace
Built in 1930 for the Austrian financial institution Donau, this constructivist palace on Národní Avenue is considered to be one of the best projects of German architect Adolf Foehr, student of Jan Kotěra. The monumental building is open to visitors after a careful, recently finished reconstruction that gave the building back its original glamorous appearance and installed modern technologies. Join us as we explore the formerly inaccessible atrium with a glass ceiling and floor made of glass bricks and enjoy a view over the city from the new green terrace on the roof!
Trade Fair Palace – National Gallery Prague
Opened in 1928, the Trade Fair Palace was created to hold international trade fairs and presentations of Czech industry and its products. Designed by architects Josef Fuchs and Oldřich Tyl, the building was absolutely unique not only because of its proportions but mainly due to being one of the first and largest functionalist buildings in the world. Even the father of functionalism himself – Le Corbusier – was not able to hide his admiration while visiting the palace. The National Gallery Prague, which has occupied the building since the 1970s, invites you to tour the normally inaccessible areas, such as the technical room or terrace on the roof.
Body & Soul Care
Church of St. Anne – Prague Crossroads
Originally a Gothic church built in the 14th century, the church inspired the mysterious novels of famous Czech writer Jaroslav Foglar. Today the church houses an international spiritual center founded by Václav Havel and managed by the Dagmar and Václav Havel Foundation VIZE 97. The Prague Crossroads hosts a wide range of meetings, lectures and discussions, concerts, exhibitions, meditations and happenings. Czech architect Eva Jiřičná, patroness of Open House Prague, was involved in the reconstruction of the church, which helped reveal the unique Gothic room timbers, the only ones left in all of Prague.
General University Hospital in Prague – Ceramic Lounge
Not many people know that the neo-Renaissance walls of the former sanatorium at the General University Hospital hide a global rarity. The Ceramic Lounge designed by Jan Kotěra was made at the beginning of the 20th century as a place for wealthy female patients to relax. It is decorated with unique, colorful tiles, ornamental floor tiling, stained glass, and a fountain with a statue of a woman above a water stream. Make this one of your festival stops and discover an unexpected, laid-back, sun-filled atmosphere of this space, one that you would not expect to find in a hospital!
Michna Palace – Tyrš House
The former representative residence of the Michna aristocrats of Vacínov was literally lifted from ruins by a group of Czechoslovak patriots. The Czechoslovak Sokol Community managed to carefully reconstruct and complete the premises. The grand opening 100 years ago, which took place in time before the Sokol rally, was also attended by President T. G. Masaryk. Having withstood wars, the totalitarian regime, and even the 2002 floods, the opulent complex is now open to visit. If the weather is good, you can climb up to the roof and enjoy a beautiful view over Malá Strana!
Industrial & Technical Monuments
Motive Power Depot at Masaryk Railway Station
The premises of the largest railway depot in Prague serve as a unique example of 19th century industrial architecture. 180 years ago, on August 20, 1845, the very first train drawn by a steam locomotive (with a patriotic name “Čechy”, meaning “Bohemia”) arrived here from Olomouc. This is probably your last chance to experience the motive power depot’s authentic atmosphere before it transforms into the Museum of Railway and Electrical Engineering of the National Technical Museum, scheduled to open in 2028. This year we are also commemorating the anniversary of important Czech drafter and railway constructor Jan Perner (*210 years, †180 years).
Štvanice Power Station
Located at the top of Štvanice Island, this power station was one of the first industrial power stations on the Vltava river and one of the first concrete buildings in Prague. Inspired by the architecture of French châteaux, this industrial building with its domelike tower was constructed in the Art Nouveau style. In 1973, the power station’s operation was suspended because it needed to be repaired, and since the reconstruction in the late 1980s, it has been up and running. Recently, the power station has been modernized, and now you can take a look inside, too!
Schools of New Generation
Czech University of Life Sciences Prague – Pavilion of Tropical AgriSciences
In 2020 the Czech University of Life Sciences Prague opened a “green pavilion”. After more than half a century of its existence, the Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences finally got its own building, becoming the first European institution focused on education and research in the field of tropical agriculture with the most modern infrastructure. Visit a building that cleverly uses plants to improve the microclimate and reduce energy consumption, a building that has received an Adapterra Award for being a prime example of a sustainable construction under the condition of climate change.
Secondary Vocational School – Vocational Training Center & Grammar School
Want to discover a school of the future? Upon opening, the Secondary Vocational School on Českobrodská Street became the most modern public building in Central and Eastern Europe. Explore the school’s classrooms and canteen and see where modern architecture of educational institutions is headed. The school generates its own electricity, which can be even sold, has its own sewage treatment plant, and lights, temperature, and ventilation all work automatically. In addition, there’s a garden on the roof and greenery on the walls. It is no wonder that the building has won an award for its exemplary adaptation to climate change.
State Buildings & Embassies
Embassy of the Republic of Lithuania
Discover the atmosphere of Lithuania in the heart of Prague! Combining the elegance of a historical villa from 1920 and timeless Lithuanian design, the building is tied to inventor and patriot Ludvík Očenášek, who set up a station here during WWI to tap the Vienna-Berlin military line. Walk the original terrazzo staircase and enter the building’s representative interiors designed in a modern style with elements of traditional Baltic culture. You can spot ethnic details referring to Lithuania’s folk art and traditions as well as lights inspired by the Lithuanian spindle. The embassy’s garden features a well-preserved statue of King Mindgaus created by a Lithuanian folk woodcarver.
Hodža Villa – Embassy of Luxembourg
Because residences of ambassadors rarely appear in the festival program, we are thrilled to invite you for the first time to visit the Embassy of Luxembourg this year! The villa was originally built in the 1920s for Milan Hodža, Czechoslovak prime minister in the period before the Munich Agreement, who is commemorated by a memorial plaque located near the entrance from the street. Join us as we climb up the stone staircase and explore the villa’s representative salons and the garden. The house neighbors the former villa of politician and victim of judicial murder Milada Horáková.
Prague Castle – Hartig Garden
Just like last year, we are inviting you to visit the premises of Prague Castle! This time you can visit the Hartig Garden, which used to be a part of the palace of the same up until the 1960s. Usually closed to the public, the garden is named after count and music lover Ludwig Joseph von Hartig, who had a music pavilion built in the garden. Aside from the pavilion, the garden also features five statues made by Antonín Braun, nephew of the famous Matthias Bernhard Braun; however, the statues are currently awaiting restoration in a depository. Nevertheless, this is a unique opportunity to visit this beautiful oasis of tranquility!
Prague Castle – Plečnik Pavilion
You might have heard about or even visited the Plečnik Lookout at Prague Castle, which offers a gorgeous view of the city, but you might be surprised to learn that there’s a hidden space underneath – the so-called Plečnik Pavilion, which originally served as a sunroom. The festival offers a unique opportunity to visit this space from the 1920s, now used for exhibitions and otherwise closed to the public. While you’re there, you can also visit the Hartig Garden just next to the pavilion, also located in the South Gardens of Prague Castle.
Prague Municipal Insurance Company – Ministry of Regional Development
The seat of the Ministry of Regional Development of the Czech Republic replaced three historical houses, torn down during the redevelopment of the Old Town in the late 19th century. In 1901, a new representative seat of the Municipal Insurance Company was built on the site, designed by Osvald Polívka, one of the pioneers of Czech Art Nouveau architecture. The tour will take you through the representative entrance hall lined with red polished marble and the monumental double staircase to the first floor, where you can see the conference room, lounge, and office of the minister. In addition, you can enjoy a view from the balcony over the Old Town Square.
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