The elegant Neo-Renaissance building of Rudolfinum was built between 1876-1884. It was conceived as a multipurpose cultural center with concert and exhibition halls. The building was taken under the patronage of the heir of the Habsburg throne, the archduke Rudolph after whom the building was named.
Between 1919 and 1941 Rudolfinum served temporarily as an assembly hall of Czech Parliament. Since then it has functioned as a concert hall, exhibition space, and a seat of the Czech Philharmonic. Two concert halls stage the most prominent classical music concerts such as the Dvořák Prague or Prague Spring festivals.
In 1896 the Czech composer Antonín Dvořák conducted Czech Philharmonic performing his Symphony No. 9 "From the New World". That´s how the history of Czech Philharmonic, Rudolfinum and Dvořák Hall began...