Exhibition Grounds Vystaviste Entertainment for All

Vystaviste is an exhibition area in Holesovice, a district just north of the city centre, and is located next to Stromovka Park. It is the city’s main trade fair and event area, used for exhibitions, concerts and cultural events. The area borders Stromovka Park. Vystaviste is especially popular in the summer, when many temporary events are held here, but there are also attractions that cater for visitors all year round. Entrance to the area is free, except during events and exhibitions.

Highlights Vystaviste

1. The Industrial Palace
2. Křižík Fountain
3. Lapidarium
4. Maroldovo Panorama
5. Nová Spirála Theatre
6. Morsky Svet, Sea World
7. Sportovní hala Fortuna
8. St. Matthew’s Fair
9. Goja Music Hall

1. Industrial Palace

The Industrial Palace, Průmyslový palác, built for the 1891 World Exhibition, is the largest building on the Vystaviste site. It is an early example of Art Nouveau and its eye-catcher is the domed bell tower. The main building is flanked by long wings on both sides. A fire destroyed the left wing in 2008, reconstruction began in 2022. The building is used for exhibitions and cultural events

2. Křižík’s Fountain

The Křižík’s Fountain is one of the main attractions of the exhibition grounds. It was built for the 1891 World Exhibition. The building is not the original but a reconstruction. The Křižík’s Fountain is unique. It is a singing fountain with light effects. The water danced to the melody of Smetana’s symphonic poem ‘Ma Vlast’.

3. Lapidarium

The Lapidarium is a museum of stone and bronze sculptures that once stood on the market squares, on bridges or at churches and cathedrals in Prague. The museum has been temporarily closed (for years). The building itself is worth seeing

4. Maroldovo Panorama

A round building just behind the Industrial Palace is home to the Maroldovo Panorama, a 95-metre-wide and 11-metre-high panoramic painting created for the 1898 Exhibition of Architecture and Technology. It depicts the Battle of Lipany (near Prague), in which moderate Hussites defeated radical Hussites. The current pavilion was built in 1934, to mark the 500th anniversary of the battle.

5. Nová Spirála Theatre

The Nová Spirála Theatre features a unique round auditorium with a 360-degree view, which can seat 800 spectators. The two rotating stages allow for versatile performances, so that no one misses a thing.

The original Spirála Theatre was part of the General Czechoslovak Exhibition (Všeobecná československá výstava) held in 1991. It was a converted round cinema dating from the 1970s.

6. Morsky Svet

Mořský Svět (Sea World) is a hall with about sixty aquariums. Highlights include the 100,000-litre shark aquarium, a coral reef and a freshwater aquarium with piranhas. Special lighting effects simulate day and night. In total, there are 4,500 species of fish and other sea creatures swimming around in the various aquariums.

7. Sportovní hala Fortuna

Fortuna Sports Hall, formerly Tipsport Arena or Tesla Arena, built between 1953 and 1962, is a multifunctional hall with a capacity of over ten thousand spectators. The arena is used by HC Sparta Prague for ice hockey matches. In addition to ice hockey matches, other sporting events and various concerts by world-famous musicians are also held here.

8. St. Matthew’s Fair

St. Matthew’s Fair, Matějská Pouť, is an annual event held from late February to early April. There are around 100 attractions on the grounds, including Booster centrifuge, the largest in Europe, and Bungee Catapult for adrenaline enthusiasts, bouncy castles, bumper cars and a haunted castle.

9. Goja Music Hall

Goja Music Hall is a building that resembles an Egyptian pyramid. This theatre regularly hosts musical and theatre performances, dance and music festivals, multimedia shows, fashion shows and other cultural events.

A Brief History of the Exhibition Grounds

Výstaviště was built especially for the 1891 World Exhibition. In a record time of just one year, 140 pavilions were built here and on Petřín Hill. About 2.5 million people visited the exhibition, which was held from May to October.

The exhibitions showed visitors various aspects of life in Bohemia and demonstrated the industrial and technical prowess of the region. Popular attractions included the Krizik Fountain illuminated by colored lights and balloon flights.

Some of the buildings specially built for the 1891 World Exhibition still stand today. They are used for social, cultural, sports and recreational purposes.

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