The end of the communist era saw the departure of the five-branched red star; the crown of Saint Wenceslas has now returned to its place on the top of the Palace of Industry in Prague, an impressive building erected for the 1891 Jubilee Exhibition on the heights of the Czech capital, in the Holesovice district. After the fire that completely destroyed its left wing in 2008, the Art Nouveau building underwent a meticulous restoration and renovation that has now made it the centerpiece of the Prague Exhibition Grounds (Výstaviště Praha), the capital’s exhibition park.« With its size, beauty and historical significance, this is the equipment we have been waiting for for a long time and that our Mice customers hope to see when they come to Prague. », considers Roman Muška, the general director of the Prague Convention Bureau.
Since 2022, the bulk of this €123 million project has involved the missing wing, which has been reconstructed to its original structure, recreating the appearance of the foundry that evokes the Machine Gallery designed for the Paris World’s Fair of 1889. These major works have enabled the integration of technical equipment (electricity, sound, air conditioning, lighting, etc.), as well as the creation of reception areas for visitors (changing rooms, restrooms…), a loading dock for trucks, a zone dedicated to caterers, and storage space for tables, chairs… A forklift ensures the connection of this equipment with the floor of the immense 4500 m² hall.2, It can accommodate 2,000 people for a gala dinner or 3,600 in theater configuration.
The lightness of this hall contrasts with its somewhat bulbous decor dating from the 1950s. However, preserved as a testament to the communist era, it reduces the room’s surface area to «only» 3,700 m².2, With a capacity of 3,350 people for theatre performances and 1,500 guests for gala events, the monumental central hall, whose glass and stained-glass façades have been restored and cleaned, provides 1,800 m² of space for connection between the two wings.2 For 700 dinner guests and 1,750 theatergoers. It was here, under the large glass roof, that the awards ceremony of Designblock, the major Czech design festival, took place in early October, followed by a reception in the new wing.
Spaces of all sizes in the exhibition park
This Palace of Industry, which celebrated the industrial and cultural achievements of Bohemia at its inauguration, over time saw other pavilions rise around it whose architecture marked their era: imperial, republican, communist… Today they form the Prague Exhibition Grounds, much sought after by companies for its varied spaces, but also by the citizens of Prague for the events that take place there: exhibitions, concerts, plays, TV filming, visits to its panorama… Not to mention its immense park, much appreciated in fine weather. The site thus sees 2 million visitors pass through each year.
The small bohemian pavilion, which also dates back to 1891, has a hall measuring 160 m².2 (120 seats in the theater or 70 for the gala dinner) and two floors of rooms (30 seats each). Reopened two years ago after a complete renovation, Nova Spirala («New Spiral») is an original circular theater whose stage occupies the center of the structure. The various floors can accommodate 781 seats (including 300 for the lower part). At the forefront of technology, the black cylindrical building features a foyer and an adjacent auditorium that can be used as an exhibition space, meeting room (210 seats) or reception room (340 seats).
Dating back to the 1980s, the Krizik complex consists of 4 pavilions ranging from 800 to 1,830 m2 (from 500 to 1000 people in the theater and a maximum of 1,500 people). Its terrace roof extends over 7,600 m²2. The next step should be the renovation of its immense central fountain that serves as an amphitheater (up to 4,000 people) for concerts, parades and other shows. Although the Prague Exhibition Grounds is located a few minutes by tram from the city center, it will take nearly ten years to complete the line that will directly connect the site with the airport. This is a railway project that has been delayed for a long time.
A new pavilion for the Prague Congress Center
With nearly 5,200 events in 2026 (for 850,000 participants), including 133 international congresses of associations, this places the city in 6th position.th In the ICCA ranking, Prague is striving to become attractive in the MICE market. The Palace of Industry has already recorded reservations for spaces until 2029, with the novelty effect taking full effect as its commercial promotion began last year.« This equipment of which the 3 halls represent 10,000 m2 It will allow attracting larger international events, with up to 6,000 or 8,000 participants », believes Roman Muška, who adds that « Several locations are still in the pipeline ». And first in the Vysehrad district, where the Prague Congress Centre will have a new hall of 5,000 m² in 2028-20292 It is divided into 5 distinct areas.
Some €55M will be allocated to this project, which is part of a site modernization program dating back to the 1980s. Upon completion, it will have a floor area of 21,000 m².2 of spaces intended for international congresses requiring exhibition space, conferences, meetings, private or cultural events… In the 2032-2033 timeframe, the Czech capital also hopes to build a symphony hall in the far south of the Holesovice district. Its halls, which will overlook the Vlatva, the river that runs through the city, will be used for events.
" These facilities will strengthen Prague’s position among the top European destinations for organizing professional meetings. »«, said Roman Muška. And added: " The Czech capital has plenty to offer with its historical heritage, its 44,000 reasonably priced rooms, and event venues easily accessible by public transport. ".
The margins for improvement are still considered significant, with MICE accounting for only 10% of the Czech capital’s tourist activity, excluding business trips.« Business tourism is a way to extend the length of stay, spread out the tourist season and combat overtourism and visitors who come to enjoy beer only. This activity then allows for the tourism benefits to be spread across all neighborhoods, not just the historic center. »", assures Adam Zabransky, advisor to the city of Prague.
