Dancing House

Interesting facts

1. 1

   The building was originally intended to be a cultural center before becoming an office and commercial space.

2. 2

   Frank Gehry initially nicknamed the building 'Fred and Ginger' after the famous dance duo.

3. 3

   The site was left as a vacant lot for decades after a building was destroyed by the 1945 bombing of Prague.

4. 4

   Václav Havel, the former president of the Czech Republic, lived in the building next door and supported the project to foster cultural activity.

5. 5

   The top of the 'Ginger' tower features a rotating metal mesh sphere that serves as an architectural ornament.

6. 6

   The building uses 99 uniquely shaped concrete wall panels to achieve its irregular, curved appearance.

Overview

The Dancing House is a deconstructivist building designed by architects Vlado Milunić and Frank Gehry, completed in 1996. Its structure consists of two towers, nicknamed 'Fred and Ginger,' representing dancers Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. The building replaced a site destroyed by a 1945 U.S. bombing raid during World War II. It features a glass tower supported by curved columns and a concrete tower topped with a metal structure called 'Medusa.' The interior houses a restaurant, a gallery, a hotel, and an observation deck. The design sparked significant local controversy upon completion due to its stark architectural contrast with the city's surrounding Baroque and Art Nouveau buildings. It remains a primary example of post-modern architecture in Central Europe.

Insider tips

• Visit the gallery level for an elevated perspective of the surrounding streets.

• Book a reservation at the rooftop restaurant to access the observation deck view without paying an additional entrance fee.

• Check the official website for current rotating art exhibitions before your visit.