The Art Nouveau hall in Prague’s Central Station (Praha hlavní nádraží) gives a glimpse of the former splendour and glory of the Habsburg Empire. It was designed by Josef Fanta (1856-1954) and opened in 1909. [German]
The Art Nouveau hall
In earlier times, the hall greeted the passengers who arrived in Prague with long-distance trains from Vienna, Berlin or Budapest. Today, the streams of rail travellers run through a shopping mall one level below. Only Art Nouveau enthusiasts find their way to this part of the railway station.
The structure was built according to the plans of Josef Fanta (1856-1954). Inside, the stylish café Fantova Kavárna still honours the Czech architect with his name. If you leave the building by the large glass doors, you will discover the splendid Art Nouveau facade of the hall.
By the way, you’ll find the facade of the station building on the manhole covers of the railway station as well. A though-provoking monument you will discover near the Art Nouveau hall on platform 1: the memorial to Nicholas Winton, who saved many Jewish children before World War II.