Fair Palace

The Palace of Trade Fairs (Veletržní palác) in Prague, now home to the National Gallery, is an icon of Czech functionalist architecture. Built between 1925 and 1928, it was designed by architects Josef Fuchs and Oldřich Tyl to host trade fairs in Prague, celebrating the tenth anniversary of the Czechoslovak Republic. This innovative and imposing building, with its eight floors and two basements, covers an area of 140×80 meters, making it the largest of its kind at the time of its construction. The idea of ​​building a new exhibition space arose after the first Trade Fair in Prague in 1920. The old exhibition area was insufficient for the needs of the new nation, eager to establish itself economically independent from Vienna. Thus, in 1919, the Prague Trade Fairs were established and it was decided to build the palace. The building was designed with a simple reinforced concrete structure, characterized by large exhibition halls and a functionalist facade devoid of superfluous decorations, reflecting the principles of architectural modernism.During the 1930s, the palace was expanded with a cinema in the basement, a restaurant on the ground floor, and a panoramic café on the sixth floor, turning it into a multifunctional center. However, the Nazi occupation during World War II drastically changed its use. The palace was used by the Germans as a gathering point for deported Jews heading to concentration camps, adding a tragic note to its history.After the war, the Palace of Trade Fairs underwent a slow decline. From 1951 to 1974, it was used as an administrative building for various companies and advertising agencies. The numerous structural modifications, often carried out with cheap materials, compromised the integrity of the building. This deterioration culminated in a devastating fire on August 14, 1974, which destroyed much of the interior, leaving only the supporting structure standing.However, the tragedy of the fire marked a turning point for the palace. In 1976, it was included in the State Register of Immovable Cultural Monuments and assigned to the National Gallery two years later. The renovation officially began in 1980 under the direction of architect Miroslav Masák and the SIAL team from Liberec. The renovation project was completed in 1995, with the inauguration of the new headquarters of the National Gallery.Today, the Palace of Trade Fairs houses one of the largest collections of modern and contemporary art in the Czech Republic. Permanent exhibitions include works by artists such as František Kupka, Pablo Picasso, Georges Braque, and many others. The building itself, with its imposing architecture and innovative exhibition spaces, is a masterpiece that attracts visitors from around the world.One of the most fascinating elements of the building is the Small Courtyard, a five-story structure with a skylight roof that floods the interior with natural light. This space has been described as therapeutic and compared to the decks of a ship, offering a unique and relaxing atmosphere.