The dancing house of Frank Gehry in Prague: discover one of the pillars of modern architecture, which has been dancing the Vltava docks since 1996!
The dancing house, or « dancing house » English and "dum Tančící" in Czech, is the small name given to the Nationale-Nederlanden building, a office building in the centre of Prague.
Built in 1996, this “house” is the joint work of Croatian architect Vlado Milunić and famous American-Canadian architect Frank Gehry.
Also: The 13 essential things to do in Prague
The history of the dancing house in Prague
Photo credit: Flickr – Miroslav Petrasko
Through its own small history, the "dancehouse house" is a testament to Czech modern history: it is located in the spot of a very old building destroyed during the bombing of Prague by the Americans during the Second World War, then following the Revolution of Velours (end of the communist regime), the new Czech president wants to build a new emblematic building there. To that end, he informally commissioned three architects, including Vlado Milunić, who made a proposal particularly appreciated by the Czech President.
The idea of architect Vlado Milunić was to build a building reflecting the end of the Chequian’s totalitarian past and also the dynamics of radical changes: something static in front of something moving, such as yin and yang.
The ING bank bought the site in 1992, and to remain in continuity with the initial project, decided to entrust the project to Vlado Milunić and a renowned architect, Frank Gehry. The goal is to build a building demonstrating the prosperity of the bank!
The restaurant inside the Maison Dansante – Photo credit: Official Dancing House
Located on the top floor of this amazing building, the restaurant "Ginger ' Fred" offers you the possibility of lunch or a drink with a view of the Vltava and Prague Castle. The opportunity also to visit the interior of the dancing house!
See the "ning house" in Prague
The project is inspired by the dance steps of a famous couple of dancers, Fred Astair (symbolized by the stone tower) and his partner Ginger Rogers (the glass tower): a glass dancer dress, folded and hanging on to a svelte man wearing a hat.
This dancing couple is the analogy of the men’s yang and the female yin that are balanced together – a rational dialogue enters on the one hand a vertical, static and totalitarian approach and on the other hand a dynamic and changing society.
The Czechs also see in this turn the representation of the joyous and dancing days following the Velvet Revolution, and the return to democracy.
Photo credit: Wikimedia - Pedro Szekely
Where is the dancing house in Prague? How can I find her?
You will find the dancing house on the banks of the Vltava: Rašínovo nábřeží 80, 120 00 Praha 2 .
The dancing house in Prague is above all a office building and cannot be visited. However, it houses a museum and a restaurant with panoramic terrace from which you can admire Prague over 360 degrees.
Main photo: Wikimedia – Christine Zenino
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