Statues at New City Hall

sculptures by academic sculptors Stanislav Sucharda, Josef Maratka and Ladislav Šaloun. The work of Stanislav Sucharda graces especially the main entrance with large relieves on both sides of the portal. The left side relief shows The Public Jointly Carrying Burden and the sculpture on the right depicts The Common Benefit to the Public Ensuing Therefrom. The relief above the main entrance represents Protection of the City Treasure. Both ends of the balcony balustrade are decorated with figural sculptures by Josef Maratka inspired by strength and endurance. Above the balustrade entrance is a work of Stanislav Sucharda which shows g semi-torso of a girl ho/ding a stone emblem of the City of Prague. The left side of the building's attic is decorated by allegories Strength and Endurance by Stanislav Sucharda.

Photo 881, Sept 2008

Statues at New City Hall

Best known are the sculptures of the legendary rabbi Loew and the Iron Knight. These large size stone sculptures standing on high supports on the building’s corners were created by Ladislav Šaloun (1870-1946), one of the most important representatives of Czech Art Nouveau sculpture. Both these carvings are accompanied by an interesting tale from old Prague. The schooled rabbi Loew ben Besalel who created Golem to serve and obey him also had the ability to defy Death. But Death deceived him nevertheless after lading in a beautifully smelling rose brought to the rabbi by his gorgeous daughter. Rabbi Loew could not resist, smelled the rose and at that moment Death gave him a deadly kiss. The fateful rose lies on the pedestal near rabbi’s feet. The kneeling daughter is begging father's pardon, also for having fallen in love with a Christian - the Iron Knight. The knights sculpture is said to depict emperor Rudolf II who used this disguise to come to the Jewish quarter to visit the rabbi's beautiful daughter.

Photo 882, Sept 2008

Statues at New City Hall

Photo 877d1, Sept 2008

Statues at New City Hall

Photo 877d2, Sept 2008

Statues at New City Hall

Photo 877d3, Sept 2008

Statues at New City Hall

Photo 877d4, Sept 2008