The Golden Ring House

Prague offers visitors a bounty of art museums. In many cases, the museum is the house itself, the art on display, the original contents of the house or chateau. The Prague Castle district is rampant with such offerings. If, however, you want to look at the works of modern Czech artists dating from the 20th century, do not head to the hill or visit the Hrad, go to the House of the Golden King.

The current complicated layout of the Golden Ring House arose from the constructional unification of two separate medieval houses.

The cellars and the corridor on the first floor with the original barrel vault are preserved from the early Gothic period of building development. In this corridor there are also fragments of wall paintings from the end of the 15th century. The wooden painted decking ceilings with Renaissance themes date from the 16th century. The newel staircase, small oval skylight and Renaissance barrel vault come from the period of rebuilding in about 1609. The entry portal with the house sign was adapted changed in the 19th century.

The Gallery acquired use of the building in 1990. The permanent exposition of Czech art from the 20th century from Gallery collections was opened in 1998, and the reading room is open to the public on the 2nd floor.

The Reading room is for on-site reading only. It offers interested persons the possibility studying professional literature, an extensive range of exhibition catalogues and professionals magazines on the subject of fine art. It is available either as part of viewing the exposition or independently – entrance is free. The foundation of its collection comprises of catalogues and publications referring to works of artists, whose works are included in Gallery collections, or artists that the Gallery had exhibited and had published a catalogue for.

In the rear wing there is the Týn literary café, which is available not only for Gallery visitors.