The 12th edition of the Open House Prague festival featured not only more than a hundred open buildings but also an extensive accompanying program, which, from May 18 to 24, 2026, connected architecture with the themes of historic preservation, urban planning, urban development, and everyday life in Prague. During the festival week, 150 debates, lectures, guided tours, walks, screenings, workshops, and community gatherings took place, exploring this year’s festival theme and offering visitors a broader context for the buildings they visited.
Weekday Events May 18–22, 2026
A City in Motion: Prague Between the Past & the Future
One of the main themes was the city’s transformation and the ways in which Prague is responding to current urban, social, and environmental challenges. The accompanying program presented the city as a living organism that is constantly changing in response to new needs, investments, and public debate. Participants could join a festival bike ride with urban transportation planner Tomáš Cach, following the trail of both completed and planned transformations in Smíchov, or follow up with a guided walking tour dedicated to the Dvorecký Bridge. City council member Adam Scheinherr and architect Radek Šíma from Atelier 6 outlined the journey of this significant transportation project, from the architectural competition through public debate to its implementation.
The future of one of Prague’s largest brownfield sites was presented in a lecture by architects Lada Kolaříková and Filip Ditrich on the Žižkov Freight Station. The discussion raised questions about historic preservation, the area’s future development, and the search for a balance between preserving historical values and creating a new urban neighborhood. Visitors could also witness the city’s transformation firsthand during a guided tour of the Prague Exhibition Grounds with Tomáš Hübl, chairman of the board of directors of Výstaviště Praha, a. s., which highlighted the ongoing renovations and the site’s return to its original cultural and social function. A guided walking tour dedicated to the upcoming Vltava Philharmonic Hall also focused on Prague’s future; during the tour, architects Petr Hlaváček and Martin Krupauer presented the current status of the project and the planned transformation of the area near the Vltavská station.
Landmarks Seeking a New Life
Another theme focused on the preservation of architectural heritage and the search for new functions for historic buildings. The festival highlighted sites that are in a transitional phase – awaiting renovation, a change in use, or the search for a new role in the life of the city. The possibilities for repurposing industrial buildings were showcased during a guided tour of the Panelárna cultural center on the former Prefa site in Holešovice, led by architects Daniel Jeništa and Lucie Formanová. The transformation of dilapidated architecture into a vibrant cultural space was also highlighted during a tour of the Fuchs2 club, led by guide Michal Šedivý.
The screening of the documentary Olympic Halftime, which took place directly in the stands of the Great Strahov Stadium, carried a strong symbolic dimension. Prior to the screening, a discussion was held with director Haruna Honcoop, architect Radomíra Sedláková, and architect Petr Hlaváček about the future of large sports facilities, their historical legacy, and possibilities for repurposing them. The film Three Wishes, directed by the duo Jan Kadár and Elmar Klos, then highlighted the architectural values of the functionalist Glass Palace right within the setting of this exceptional building.
Other prominent experts also participated in the accompanying program, offering visitors insights into architecture from various perspectives. Architect Josef Holeček presented the story of Josef Fanta and Josef Hlávka; art historian Zdeněk Lukeš shed light on the figure of Pavel Janák; Pavel Pražák, Vice-President of the Municipal Court in Prague, gave the public insight into the workings of Prague’s judicial system; and experts also highlighted the history of Prague’s sewer system and the Old Wastewater Treatment Plant, as well as the development of senior living facilities and the status of women in the Czech Sokol movement.
A significant part of the program consisted of themed walks, exhibitions, workshops, and guided tours, which offered additional perspectives on architecture and the city. Visitors followed in the footsteps of Václav Havel, explored the Bohnice Institutional Cemetery, discovered the MemoMap Prague app, and visited sites in Hradčany associated with totalitarian regimes. The festival was complemented by an exhibition of student projects from the Faculty of Architecture at the Czech Technical University (ČVUT) at the Hybernská Campus, themed screenings at the Atlas Theater, workshops focused on traditional crafts and artistic techniques, and the opportunity to explore areas normally off-limits to the public – from the technical facilities of the Westfield Černý Most shopping center to Studio Martínek, the National Theater’s operational building, the New Town Hall, and the modern Roztyly Plaza office building.
Weekend Events May 23–24, 2026
Tours With Architects & Other Experts
Several new architectural projects offered guided tours led by the project designers themselves. Architect Jiří Havrda guided visitors through the Port7 office complex; architect Radek Podorský presented the Lihovar Smíchov residential project; architects Lukáš Němeček and Tomáš Němec guided visitors through the Fragment residential project; and architects from the KURZ studio presented the renovation of the Karlín Palace, headquarters of the Czech Promotion agency. Architects from the LOXIA studio, together with Deputy Mayor Petr Šula, led a tour of the Prague 12 Town Hall building. These tours offered a unique opportunity to gain insight into the architectural and technical aspects and the urban planning of the individual buildings.
Overview of Accompanying Events in the Open Buildings on the Weekend
Archbishop Grammar School in Prague
exhibition regarding the past, present, and future of the building and life at the school
Atlas Palace – cinema
exhibition at Karel Vachek Gallery, current exhibition at the 200 x 350 gallery for one large-scale artwork, permanent art wall in front of the cinema
Braník Brewery – Dance Art Center
exhibition of stage equipment and costumes in the building
Chodov Retirement Home
Chodov Retirement Home’s 35th anniversary; screening of the documentary 1980s Architecture, retirement homes designed by Jan Línek & Vlado Milunić (on a loop in the theater hall)
Clubhouse of the Autoclub of the Czech Republic
an exhibition of historic vehicles – including interesting racing motorcycles, such as a special model for ice speedway racing, and the Aero car, commemorating the “Blue Team” expedition, a group of six courageous women who traveled to Africa in 1934; an exhibition on the history of the autoclub; a tribute to the life story of female racer Eliška Junková; an exhibition of the first road maps, archival documents, and photographs; period illustrations of vehicles from the early days of motoring
DISK Theater (part of the Academy of Performing Arts – DAMU)
“Biedermann a žháři”: an explosive comedy about conformism and populism that won’t let you keep your cool – Saturday, May 23 at 7.30 p.m. (reservation required, discounts for festival visitors)
Dunaj Palace
tour of the offices of the European Parliament
Fairmont Golden Prague Hotel
exhibition of photos
Firemen’s House
telescope viewing (in case of good weather conditions) from the terrace, an exhibition of historical firefighting equipment, a photo exhibition documenting the activities of the volunteer fire department, a tour of the brewery, a guided tour of the Firemen’s House, and a video loop in the theater lobby; Open Tanks Day at Římská Brewery: guided tours, beer tasting, opportunity to see restricted areas – Saturday, May 12
First Czech General Reinsurance Bank – Goethe-Institut
exhibitions on the 1st and 2nd floor
Floating Boathouse of TJ Tatran Praha
exhibition of photos and available documentation concerning the floating boathouse
Historical Boathouse of the Czech Yacht Club
exhibition of photos
Historical Building of the National Archives
display of archived materials from the National Archives’ fonds – e.g. the facsimiles of the most valuable documents from the Archives of the Crown of Bohemia
Institute of Philosophy, Institute of Sociology, Institute of Art History of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic
historical photos of the building
Karlín Palace – main office of Albi
a look behind the scenes of Albi’s production
Karlín Palace – main office of Czech Promotion
loop with photos from the reconstruction and photos introducing the agency, guided tour with architects, children corner
Klar Institute of the Blind – seat of the Czech Geological Survey
historical photos of the building and its construction, new paleontology exhibition on the ground floor
Letná Water Tower
exhibition in the gallery, Letná Fair – Sunday, May 24
Libeň Brewery – Studio ALTA
display of documents, plans, visualizations, and designs related to the reconstruction
Liechtenstein Palace
exhibition “Gifts for Prime Ministers”
Lobkowicz Palace – Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany
exhibition of historical photos documenting the events in 1989
Masaryk Railway Station
historical photos of the station, promotional materials from Czech Railways
Metro Palace
photos from pre-construction stage
Metro Palace – Image Theater
video documenting the reconstruction, historical photos of the original cinema provided by the owners of Metro Palace
Michna Palace – Tyrš House
exhibition at the Sokol Gallery
Ministry of Transport of the Czech Republic
panels with historical photos, construction plans on the walls, transportation-themed playground for children in front of the building
Minorite Monastery Prague
exhibitions in the ambit and cellar
Motive Power Depot at Masaryk Railway Station – Museum of Railway and Electrical Engineering, NTM
Peter Demek exhibition; presentation of theme-related illustrations by Jaromír99 for a publication by the National Technical Museum; theme-related educational program for families with children; display of steam locomotive 464.102 from 1940
Na Zatlance Grammar School
information panel with photos
National Archives and State Regional Archives in Prague
exhibition “Student Internationalism – Students and the Cold War”
National House in Košíře – Studio Martínek
exhibition of historical photos
National Theater – operational building
video and photos related to the reconstruction of the New Stage
New City Hall – Prague City Hall
videos from the series “Pražská zastavení” (“Prague Stops”), outdoor exhibition commemorating the 80th anniversary of the city hall
New Synagogue in Libeň
photo loop regarding the building’s history and operation
Palata Home
exhibition of photos, designs, and plans; short video loop on the history of Palata
Petzold Restaurant – Bohemia Pavilion
exhibition with photos from the reconstruction process
Podkovářská Premises
Yvonne Baalbaki exhibition; visitors can play basketball on the roof; tour of the printing office and the graphic studio, tours of showrooms
Pragovka Art District
open galleries, exhibitions
Skaut Palace – Minor Theater
a short film about Minor, adventurous game for children
T. J. Sokol Libeň Gym
tour of the catacombs outside of the main tour path (not suitable for people with limited mobility or claustrophobia)
The Drama Club
historical photos, plans, and designs
Town House – Czech National Agency for International Education and Research
exhibition of archived documents with written commentary, information on international education and volunteering
Trmal Villa
current exhibition “Architects of Prague Castle”, permanent exhibition of Kotěra-designed furniture
Třebešín Velodrome
free bike and helmet rental and a ride on the velodrome, track cycling demonstration by the junior members of TJ Kovo team as part of their training session
U Slavíčků House – office of Committee of Goodwill – Olga Havlová Foundation
exhibition of photos related to Olga Havlová; exhibition commemorating donors who remembered thr Committee of Goodwill in their will; history of the foundation, building plans
Program for Long-term Foreign Residents in Prague
Because the Open House Prague festival is primarily aimed at Prague citizens, not only do we get English-speaking Prague residents involved in our volunteer program, but we also offer them tours with English commentary. This year, these tours took place in 16 buildings. In total, around 1,000 foreign residents passed through all the open buildings. Promotion of the program for English-speaking visitors was done primarily through the English version of our website and the festival app. English-speaking visitors could use laminated factsheets that were available at the buildings, and as a new feature this year, we added AI-generated audio guides into the app.
Photo Contest “Open Prague”
As part of the festival, we held a photo contest titled “Otevřená Praha” (“Open Prague”) for the fifth consecutive year together with ESTAV.cz. 87 visitors entered the contest, submitting 199 photos. Five finalists were selected in each of the three categories by expert juries. The category Architecture: Space & Environment was selected by the staff of ESTAV.cz; the category Details: Art & Craft was selected by professional photographer Miroslav Němeček from the company Škola kreativní fotografie; and the category People: Atmosphere & Emotions was selected by the members of the Open House Prague team. The selection was narrowed down to 15 finalists, and winners were decided in an online public vote at ESTAV.cz.
