The oldest and largest functionalist building in Prague is Grand Fair Palace, the work of architects Oldřich Tyl and Josef Fuchs, dating from 1925-1928. Unfortunately the year 1974 was an unfortunate one, as the magnificent building was destroyed in a massive fire, then left empty for the next two decades. After an extensive and lengthy reconstruction, the National Gallery moved in, bringing new life to the old building. The permanent collection is dedicated to art from the 19th, 20th, and 21st centuries. With a whopping 13,500m², there is plenty of room for the 2,000-plus exhibits housed here. If you are interested in getting to know the works of seminal Czech artists, you can do it either by visiting the profiled collections or by browsing the rooms showcasing pivotal Czech works of certain periods. As any fine national collection should, the Czech National Gallery sports its share of foreign masters. Rounding out this extensive exhibition are many examples of architecture, furniture, design, industrial art, fashion, and scenography. After a day here, you could rest your feet and have a pick-me-up drink in the coffee shop or a meal in the restaurant, both on the ground floor. © Prague.biz