Off the usual tourist tracks, yet close to the main attractions such as Charles Bridge or the Old Town, there is a modern-looking building that deviates from the usual norms and attracts attention with its appearance…
This is the Dancing house, an architecturally very attractive building full of symbolism. So if you find yourself in this part of the city, here’s what you need to know and see.
What makes this building unique?
It represents a modern architectural masterpiece, which has an unusual futuristic shape. It looks modern even today.
Although it was completed in 1996, it is still one of the attractions of Prague as a representative of new Czech architecture.
What makes the Dancing House unique?
With its twisted construction, it resembles two dancers in motion, although its original symbolism is completely different.
It consists of two towers, one of which resembles a female figure, and the other represents a male dancer. The male figure is embodied in the building, which is made of solid material, and the female figure is made of glass
What does the Dancing House symbolize?
Its unusual shape should illustrate the transition of Czech society from communism to capitalism.
The idea is that one part is presented as static, and the other is fluttering and dynamic. United, together they are stronger. Today, the Dancing Building is a symbol of the arrival of democracy and freedom in the 90s of the last century.
What is the real name of the Dancing House?
The real name of the building is “Nationale Nederlanden building”, and because of its appearance, it was nicknamed Ginger and Fred after the famous American acting couple, which was very popular in Hollywood at the beginning of the 20th century.
Later that nickname was abandoned. Today, the locals call it the Drunken Building because of its twisted construction, which leans towards the Vltava River.
How tall is the Dancing House?
The building covers an area of 5000 square meters spread over eight levels.
What is the Dancing House made of?
It is built of metal, glass and concrete. This twisted structure was achieved using 99 concrete panels, each with a different shape and dimensions. At the top of the building there is a metal structure with a characteristic shape called Medusa.
What awaits you inside
Although at first glance the building does not seem like that, today it is a hotel and also a place where various exhibitions and conferences take place. There is also a restaurant on the top floor, but all the terraces, through which most tourists enter the building, are inaccessible to people in wheelchairs. Since I don’t go where I’m not wanted, I satisfied my curiosity by looking at it from the outside.
Since it is also a hotel, you can enjoy this view all day and night. The only inconvenient thing is that at any time of the day, whenever you look out the window, you can see a lot of people, who seem to be taking pictures of you.
History of Prague’s Dancing House
This seven-story building is located in a place that was heavily bombed by the Allies in 1945. For several decades, this plot of land remained unused until the Plush Revolution in 1989. Then Vaclav Havel, as the last president of Czechoslovakia and the first president of the Czech Republic, conceived the idea of a unique modern center where important social and cultural events would take place.
However, Havel’s original plan did not come to fruition because the company Nationale-Nederlanden, which sponsored the whole deal, had other plans and wanted to turn the space into offices.
The architectural duo Vlado Milunić and the American-Canadian architect Gary agreed to adapt the project for this purpose. Since the funds were very generous, they were allowed to be very creative and this is how this building was created in a very unusual and controversial style in an area full of baroque and art nouveau buildings.
I’m not an architect, but somehow this modern building in the heart of the classics doesn’t stick out and doesn’t bother me. What do you think?
Construction began in 1992 and was completed four years later, in 1996. Since then, it has become another symbol of the city, which, in addition to the many attractions, was certainly not easy. It was even found on Czech money.
The building is located at a very busy intersection, so if you want good photos, you have to choose the time to visit it.
Best early in the morning or on weekends. Night can also be interesting for photography. I didn’t follow these rules and that’s why most of the pictures are from a distance, where in my opinion the view is the most beautiful.
Conclusion
Because of this building, I wouldn’t cross half the city to visit it, but since it fits into the route, on which there are some other attractions, it’s nice that I found myself here. Having learned and seen all this, it’s time to recharge my batteries and roll to other parts of the city, which are waiting for me.
Have you visited the Dancing House?
Did I miss something?
Traveled and enjoyed,
Marko Velickovic
Thanks for great blog! I learned a lot