Spanish Hall, Ceremonial room in Prague Castle, Czech Republic
Spanish Hall is a rectangular ceremonial hall in the northern wing of the New Royal Palace at Prague Castle, measuring 47 by 24 metres with a flat stucco ceiling 13 metres high. Nine windows in each of two storeys line the north wall, while the south wall holds matching niches; the two shorter walls, with galleries, were built in the 1860s and carry sculptures of Art, Science, Trade and Industry by Auguste la Vigne. Gilded chandeliers and wall lights hang in two rows.
Construction of the hall began in 1602 under Emperor Rudolph II, with Italian architect Giovanni Maria Filippi designing the space to house imperial sculpture collections. The project reflected the ruler's ambitions to create spaces for his artistic interests.
The hall's name comes from the Spanish horse stables once located beneath it, not from Spain itself. Today it hosts receptions for official guests of the Czech president and large ceremonial concerts. The two shorter walls, built in the 1860s, carry Auguste la Vigne's sculptures of Art, Science, Trade and Industry.
The hall lies in the north wing of the New Royal Palace, above the gate facing Prašný most. Visitors reach it from the Matyáš Gate passage via the staircase of Plečnik's Column Hall and through the Rothmayer Hall. It adjoins the narrower Rudolf Gallery on the east.
The keystone above the central window of the north wall carries Emperor Rudolph II's imperial monogram R with the Order of the Golden Fleece. The two shorter walls, added in the 1860s, hold sculptures of Art, Science, Trade and Industry by Auguste la Vigne.
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