Lucerna Palace

Entertainment and shopping complex in Prague, Czech Republic

50°4′52.07″N 14°25′32.95″E / 50.0811306°N 14.4258194°E / 50.0811306; 14.4258194OwnerDagmar HavlováTypeEntertainmentConstructionBuilt1907–1921Years active1921–presentArchitectStanislav BechyněBuilderVácslav HavelWebsitelucerna.cz

Lucerna Palace (Czech: Palác Lucerna) is an entertainment and shopping complex in the New Town quarter of Prague, Czech Republic. In 2017, it was named a national cultural monument.

Design and construction

The building, nestled between Štěpánská and Vodičkova streets, was constructed between 1907 and 1921, based on a design by Stanislav Bechyně. The work was carried out by Vácslav Havel (grandfather of former President of the Czech Republic Václav Havel).^[1] Originally intended to serve as a hockey stadium, it was reworked into a large social hall as the dimensions were soon found to be unsuited for its initial planned purpose. At the time, it was unique due to being one of the first reinforced concrete buildings in Prague. The edifice bears significant features of the waning Art Nouveau style and the emerging Modernism. In addition to its Great Hall, the complex also houses the Marble Hall, the Lucerna Music Bar, a movie theatre, a café, and a prominent pedestrian walkway, or "passage", connecting Štěpánská to Vodičkova street. Lucerna is one of twenty-six buildings in Prague with a functional paternoster lift.^[2]

Uses

From its inauguration until the present day, Lucerna has been an important cultural and social centre of the national capital, both in the former Czechoslovakia and the Czech Republic, hosting concerts, balls, conferences, fashion shows, and sporting events. Over time, some of the most prominent local and international artists have performed at the venue.

After the Velvet Revolution of 1989, Lucerna Palace was returned in restitution to the Havel family and is now owned by Václav Havel's widow, Dagmar Havlová.^[3]

National cultural monument

The complex has been listed as a cultural monument since 1976.^[4] In 2017, it was named a national cultural monument.^[5]

Gallery

View from Vodičkova street
Entrance to Lucerna Music Bar from Štěpánská street
Cinema entrance
David Černý's statue Kůň
Great Hall
Bust of Lucerna founder Vácslav Havel by Jan Štursa

References

^ "Dvě výročí stavitele Vácslava Havla" [Two Anniversaries of the Builder Vácslav Havel]. stavebnictvi3000.cz (in Czech). 11 November 2011. Retrieved 3 May 2021.
^ "páternostery" [Paternoster Lifts]. paternoster.archii.cz (in Czech). Retrieved 2 May 2021.
^ "The Lucerna Palace". Czech Radio. 21 November 2007. Retrieved 3 May 2021.
^ "Palác Lucerna s přilehlými objekty" [Lucerna Palace with Adjacent Buildings]. pamatkovykatalog.cz (in Czech). Retrieved 2 May 2021.
^ "Mezi národní kulturní památky vláda zařadila Invalidovnu i Lucernu" [The Government Has Included the Invalidovna and Lucerna Among the National Cultural Monuments]. idnes.cz (in Czech). 20 February 2017. Retrieved 2 May 2021.