7. September 2025 10:00 -
21. September 2025 15:00
🎉 AMU celebrates 80 years and opens its doors to the public! 🎉
You are invited to guided tours in the heritage buildings of the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague that we are organising in cooperation with @Open House Praha. Come and take a peek into areas that are normally not accessible to the general public and discover the stories of structures in the heart of Prague whose history made them famous before they became home to art education.
📅 Tour dates:
🕑 Three tours for a maximum of 20 persons will be held on each date.
🗣️ The tours will be guided in Czech.
💸 Admission is free, but you need to book a slot in advance at www.openhousepraha.cz.
At the Film and TV School (FAMU), you can look forward to Lažanský Palace, one of the less appreciated yet extremely valuable architectural gems of the 19th century. This is one of Prague’s latest urban palaces, combining a presentational aristocratic residence with the rental residential and commercial functions in a rather innovative manner. With its corner towers reminiscent of French chateaus, it acts as a proud and cosmopolitan counterpart to its younger neighbour the National Theatre. These days, the palace houses FAMU as well as the Parnas restaurant and the Slavia café that have contributed to the elegant spirit of Prague’s cultural milieu during the 20th century. In fact, Lažanský Palace was home to muses early on in its existence – Bedřich Smetana lived and worked there during the period when he composed his best pieces, including the comic opera Bartered Bride.
The Theatre Faculty (DAMU) compound will offer you a glimpse into an incredible melange of styles and structures dating back to various periods in our history. Medieval cellars, a Baroque palace, refurbished stables, presentational public halls from the National Renaissance period and commercial space all coexist with postmodern tendencies and, more importantly, the vibrant presence of a high-profile art school operating in full swing. DAMU is situated between two key streets that are literally paved with history: in the direction towards Řetězová Street, there is the ancient Kokořovský of Kokořov Palace, neighbouring with the House of the Lords of Kunštát. Adjacent to this is a DAMU wing originally built for the St Wenceslas Savings Bank as well as a relatively modern section situated towards Karlova Street. Reminiscent of a submarine thanks to its postmodern form, the DISK Theatre is located in the centre the entire complex in a former backyard.
The series of guided tours will culminate with a visit to the Music and Dance Faculty of AMU (HAMU). Its premises – the Liechtenstein Palace – take up the entire western side of the main section of the Lesser Town Square. As its name indicates, it is associated with some of the crucial developments in our national history – the period after the Battle of Bílá Hora – and also with the ‘bloody viceroy’ Karl of Liechtenstein who ordered the execution of 27 rebellious nobles and burghers found guilty of treason against the Hapsburg family sovereign. The palace witnessed important events throughout its entire existence, which spans centuries back into the middle ages.
🎈 The celebrations of AMU’s 80th anniversary will follow the slogan AMU For Everyone. We are looking forward to seeing you!
Academy of performing arts in Prague
Malostranské náměstí 259/12
118 00 Praha 1
