RIHA Journal 0231 | 2 December 2019 The Great Ball Game Hall of Prague Castle: Its Appearance and Function in the Context of Habsburg Renaissance Ballcourts Sylva Dobalová Abstract The Great Ball Game Hall of Prague Castle, dating from the years 1567– 1569 and built for Emperor Maximilian II, presents an exceptional architectural realization. Apart from the representative appearance of the Great Ball Game Hall also its unusual scale is singular: It is roughly twice as long as was the custom and as was recommended by the Trattato del giuoco della palla by Antonio Scaino (Ferrara 1555). The dimensions of the building are linked to the question of how the Great Ball Game Hall was actually used. Archival sources from the time of the reign of Emperor Rudolf II indicate that it was used probably for the pallone game and not for the game of tennis. From the framework given by the historiography of Renaissance sports and recreation evolves the hypothesis that also covered buildings for the pallone game existed – contrary to the dominant opinion that the game was played exclusively outdoors. Contents Renaissance ball game halls The Habsburgs and ball games The ball game halls in Vienna The ball game hall at the Star Summer Palace in Prague The ball game halls in Innsbruck The Front Ball Game Hall in the Royal Garden of Prague Castle Maximilian II and the Great Ball Game Hall of Prague Castle Responses to the Great Ball Game Hall: Neugebäude Palace in Vienna and Brandýs upon Elbe Ball games during the reign of Rudolf II The fourth ball game hall of Prague Castle A ball game hall in the French fashion? The architectural design of the Great Ball Game Hall