Zofin Palace, Neo-Renaissance palace and concert hall on Slovanský ostrov, Prague, Czech Republic
Zofin Palace is a Neo-Renaissance building of 1885 on Slavonic Island, with a yellow facade banded in white, paired columns around five arched windows on the top storey and a balcony above the entrance. It was built facing the Vltava and the north, turning its rear facade to the embankment.
The building was erected in 1836 by a miller and named after Archduchess Sophie, mother of Austrian Emperor Franz Joseph I. It quickly became a gathering place for major musical figures throughout the 19th century.
The halls were commonly called the Žofín Halls or, in German, Sofiensäle, and art exhibitions were held there alongside concerts. The island was renamed Slovanský ostrov in 1925 to mark the 1848 Prague Slavic Congress, chaired by František Palacký, which met in the building.
The palace sits on Slavonic Island within easy reach of several bridges connecting to the city center. Plan a visit during a concert or event to experience the interior fully, or check ahead for guided tours of the building.
In 1882 the first complete performance of Bedrich Smetana's symphonic poem cycle 'Má vlast' took place here, a work that became an anthem of Czech identity. This historic concert forever linked the palace to Bohemia's musical awakening.
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