22 May 2026
As part of the Open House Praha 2026 festival, a guided walk through the future site of the Vltava Philharmonic Hall took place on Monday, 18 May. Together with Deputy Mayor for Territorial Development Petr Hlaváček and Vltava Philharmonic Hall project team leader Martin Krupauer, visitors explored the places where the new national music centre will be built in the coming years.
The walk focused on the current status of the project, the future form of the building and the transformation of its surroundings. Visitors learned about the public space, transport design, new pedestrian and cycling routes, greenery, the riverfront and the connection of the Vltava Philharmonic Hall to the wider Vltavská and Bubny-Zátory area. The programme also covered transfer links between the metro, trams and the Praha-Bubny railway station.
Visitors were able to view the location from several points. The programme began at Vltavská metro station and continued, among other places, to the roof of the Praha-Bubny railway station, which offered a clearer view of the planned transformation of the area. Other stops focused on the Antonínská × Bubenská intersection, the new square in front of the building, the future riverfront, flood protection and the space beneath the viaduct.
One of the topics was also the role of the Vltava Philharmonic Hall within Prague’s cultural landscape. During the walk, Roman Bělor, former director of the Prague Spring festival, noted that Prague has long needed new high-quality concert facilities. The existing halls in Rudolfinum and Municipal House are heavily used, and for some types of repertoire and operational needs, they are already reaching their limits.
The location itself was also an important part of the discussion. Petr Hlaváček noted that Vltavská had been selected after a long process of assessing various options, and that a new cultural building can significantly transform an area that today functions primarily as a transport hub. Martin Krupauer added the project team’s perspective on how the building will operate, its programme and its relationship with the surrounding city.
We would like to thank everyone who took part in the guided walk, asked questions and showed interest in the future of Vltavská. In-person meetings directly on site are an important part of the project’s communication and help show how this part of Prague will change in the coming years.
Photo: Jan Malý, Martin Malý
