Prague Industrial Palace Fully Reopens After 18 Years

After the devastating fire of 2008 and several years of reconstruction, Prague’s Industrial Palace is complete again. Around three billion crowns were invested in the extensive restoration and reconstruction of the destroyed left wing.

After 18 years, Prague’s Industrial Palace (Průmyslový palác) on the Výstaviště exhibition grounds is once again fully usable. The historic exhibition palace has been extensively restored, while the left-hand section destroyed in a fire in 2008 has been completely rebuilt. The actual construction work began in January 2022.

“After 18 years, we are opening not just a reconstructed building for Prague. We are giving the city back the Industrial Palace as a whole. We have succeeded in preserving its historical value while at the same time creating a modern space that can once again serve Prague residents and visitors to the city for generations to come,” says Prague Mayor Bohuslav Svoboda.

Photo: Portál hlavního města Prahy

The total cost of the reconstruction and rebuilding amounts to around three billion crowns. Part of the investment is being financed from EU funds through the Modernisation Fund. The funding can reach up to CZK 293.5 million.

Historical Fabric Meets Modern Technology

One of the biggest challenges was rebuilding the completely burnt-out left wing. The new steel structure is based on the historic right wing and follows its proportions and appearance. At the same time, it meets today’s requirements for safety and building operation.

The work in the central hall was particularly complex. Among other things, the historic steel structure dating from 1891 was restored. Numerous original elements, including facade decorations, coats of arms and the St Wenceslas Crown at the top of the tower, were also restored.

Photo: Portál hlavního města Prahy

The approximately 51-metre-high clock tower structure, weighing around 26 tonnes, was completely removed during the work, restored and then reinstalled. The historic clock mechanism, as well as the clock faces and hands, were also restored.

Among the most demanding restoration works was the painted wooden ceiling of the central hall. The approximately 2,737-square-metre ceiling consists of 1,232 individual boards, which were numbered during dismantling and subsequently returned to their original positions.

The historic glass windows were also extensively restored. In total, the glazing comprises more than 5,000 panels covering an area of around 2,256 square metres. Particularly noteworthy is the reconstruction of an oval glass window based on a design by Mikoláš Aleš, whose original was destroyed in the 2008 fire.

Photo: Portál hlavního města Prahy

Designblok as the First Major Event

Following the restoration, the Industrial Palace is once again to be used as an exhibition, congress and cultural centre. The first major event in the renovated building will be the Designblok 2026 festival in autumn 2026. It will then once again host trade fairs, congresses and cultural and social events.

Since yesterday, 24 September, visitors have been able to see the open-air exhibition “Obnova v rukou mistrů” – “Restoration in the Hands of Masters” – in front of the Industrial Palace. The exhibition runs until 11 October and shows which specialised crafts were involved in the reconstruction. Admission is free.

Landmark of Prague’s Exhibition Grounds

The Industrial Palace opened on 15 May 1891 as the main pavilion of the Jubilee Provincial Exhibition. The building was designed by architects Bedřich Münzberger and Antonín Wiehl. Even at the time, its three-part iron structure was considered technologically advanced.

On 16 October 2008, a major fire destroyed the entire left wing. The central hall and the right-hand section of the building were saved. With the completion of the reconstruction, the historic palace is now fully operational again for the first time in 18 years.


Výstaviště Praha Holešovice
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