Old Town Hall Prague By A.Savin -Wikimedia

Top 10 Best Museums to visit in Prague


 

Museums play an important role in preserving history and culture for generations. It is where to go to when you are curious and want to learn more about a historical event, art, or architecture.

If you happen to be in Prague and love history or are curious about the city and the country’s past or the young ones need to be kept busy while getting entertained; keep reading the top 10 best museums to visit.

The beauty of this city is that the museums in almost every corner. They have the best from the art scene and exhibits the struggles of the country from the 20th century.

The city of 100 spires will give you the best choices in exploring and experiencing its arts and culture.

1. The National Museum

We start with the national museum in Prague. It is the biggest in the country and has 16 other buildings spread out in the country.

It is considered to hold an important role in the history of the city. The location of the museum used to be the meeting point for protesters during the Prague Spring in 1968.

This was when the country’s leader, Alexander Dubcek, passed democratic policies that led to his ouster by the Soviet Union.

The museum has since undergone several renovations to restore its façade while matching its interiors with decorations and artefacts from the neo-Renaissance design.

There are permanent collections and temporary exhibits. The artefacts vary from historic art and other special artefacts from the rest of the country and the world.

Inside you will see a full-scale whale skeleton, medieval tapestries and coins from ancient Rome. The main hall and dome hall are full of design and decorative artefacts that will catch your eye.

While at the dome, do not leave before taking in the panoramic views of Wenceslas square.

Practical Information:

Website: National Museum

Address: Václavské náměstí 1700/68, 110 00 Praha 1-Nové Město, Czech Republic

2. The Jewish Museum

the Jewish Museum in Prague by By Feťour – Wikimedia

The Jewish Museum has many historic synagogues and sites that significant to the lives of the Jews. It was opened in 1906 and is one of the most visited museums in Prague.

Upon getting your ticket, you will be able to access the Maisel Synagogue, Pinkas Synagogue, Old Jewish Cemetery with more than 12,000 graves, Klausen Synagogue, ceremonial hall.

There are also temporary exhibitions in the Robert Guttman gallery. One can also get to see the old Synagogue which is still used as a place of worship.

There is an interactive section in the museum where the young ones can have an educational moment. The Friedl’s Cabinet has the largest collection of art from Shoah.

Inside the museum, you will be able to see old manuscripts, clothes, Torahs and photos. The holocaust has been extensively featured in this museum, the victims, and the survivors. You will also get to see short clips of the sombre event.

If you’d like to attend a concert or other interactive events held here, please check their websites for dates.

Practical Information:

Opening Hours:

Summer Time 9 A.M. – 6 P.M. / Winter Time 9 A.M. – 4.30 P.M. (Open Every Day Except Saturdays And Jewish Holidays)

Address: U Staré školy 141/1, 110 00 Staré Město, Czechia

3. Franz Kafka Museum

This next museum pays tribute to a well-known Czech writer Franz Kafka. The author’s life and his work are depicted here, there is an imaginary topography exploring the unnamed locations of his work.

The courtyard has a display of David Cerny’s sculptures of two men taking a leak in a pool shaped like the country’s map.

Back to Franz Kafka, he is one of the most celebrated authors in the republic. He was born and raised in the city and every corner seems to have his mark, there are monuments put up to celebrate him.

Franz’s original manuscripts, letters, photographs and his diary along his other personal belongings can be found.

Most of Franz’s work was written in German.

Practical Information:

118 00 Prague 1 – Lesser Town

Opening hours – daily 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

4. Mucha Museum

The Mucha Museum is the only museum in the world dedicated to the life and work of the world-acclaimed Czech art nouveau artist Alphonse Mucha. Mucha lived between 1860 – 1939.

The museum was opened in Prague to the general public on 13 February 1998. Inside the museum is a shop selling exclusive souvenirs, gifts and posters featuring Alphonse Mucha logo.

A visit to this museum will give you an overview of his life and work as you go through his collection, some of which were famous in Paris.

The building hosting this museum is an ornate palace in New town. There are over a hundred exhibits of his work, personal life, old photos and other collectables that tell the genesis of art journey.

The walls in the museum are decorated by his famous artworks and decorative panels that keep his art and memory alive.

The visitors can also watch a film documenting Mucha’s life.

Practical Information:

Address: Mucha Museum, Kaunický palác, Panská 7, 110 00 Prague 1

Open Hours: daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Private group tours offered from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. according to request.

5. Kampa Museum

Crawling babies statues at Kampa Museum By Mister No-Wikimedia

A visit to the Kampa museum will give one a closer look at modern Czech art history. This museum is on Kampa Island in central Prague. The collection here was put together by Jan and Meda Mladek.

Special focus was given to Frantisek Kupka who an artist from the 20th century. He assisted in developing the modern abstract painting genre.

The museum also features works by Czech and Slovak contemporary artists and gives an interesting perspective on art that was previously considered controversial under the communist government.

The park outside the museum is peppered with sculptures and other contemporary art. One you cannot miss is the Crawling babies by David Cerny.

Once done with the museum, you can stroll along with the green spaces on the island perfect for picnic and relaxation.

Practical Information:

Opening Hours: Monday – Sunday: from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Metro:  B line station Anděl,  A line station Malostranská

Address: U Sovových mlýnů 503/2,118 00 Prague 1 – Malá Strana, Czech Republic

6. National Technical Museum

The National Technical Museum is for those that love automobiles and other mechanical structures. The museum display is filled with planes, motorbikes, cars, hot air balloon baskets and many more.

A walk through the museum is quite fascinating as you get to learn how things worked in the past. Other mechanics in the museum include old printing presses, old cameras and other cinematic equipment.

The artefacts in the museum are from the 19th century through to the 21st century. The old car collection in there is the cherry on top. some of the brands you will see include Bugatti and Mercedes.

One will also get to see the contribution made by the Czech Republic to the advancement of STEM.

There are exhibitions on mining, astrology, sugar and chocolate. The Museum was partly funded by sugar traders in 1908.

Practical Information:

Address: Kostelní 1320/42, Holešovice, 170 00 Praha-Praha 7, Czechia

Opening hours:  Tuesday – Friday: 9 am – 6 pm

Saturday, Sunday and public holidays: 9 am – 6 pm

Monday: closed

7. Karel Zeman Museum

Costumes By Vera de Kok – Wikimedia

The name Karel Zeman may not ring a bell but chances are you may have watched television shows and movies telling his story.

He is known as the one that pioneered special effects, the use of animation, visual tricks and miniature sets. Karel was also a pioneer in the film industry in the Czech Republic.

Visiting this museum will be a pleasant experience full of interactive features. You can take part in trick photography, see the machines he used among other artefacts. Some of his old films that have undergone digitization get shown in the museum.

This museum is on the western side of Charles Bridge. The management does not restrict photography inside.

Practical Information:

Address: Saská 520/3, 118 00 Praha-Malá Strana, Czechia

Opening Hours: Open daily from 10:00 to 19:00 (last entry at 18:00)

Website: Karel Zeman Museum

8. Museum of Communism

The communist museum is a small and informal space with memorabilia from the communist era after WWII. Inside you will find statues, uniforms and other communist propaganda posters.

The museum is in the heart of Prague.

There are original photos, replications of an interrogation room and a classroom, items that protected the citizens from chemical warfare and a set showing the working conditions in a factory.

You can also get to watch or listen to short audio clips at the multimedia section.

Practical Information:

Address: V Celnici 1301/4, Prague 1

Opening Hours: 9:00 Am to 8:00 P.M. (Except 24th December)

Website: Museum of Communism

9. Czech Beer Museum

If you love your beer and would love to sample some from Prague while learning how it made, this is where to go.

Czech citizens love their beer and are among the people that consume the most in the world. It is only fair then to have a museum dedicated to this favourite drink.

There is more than one Beer Museum in the city. Inside you will see cellars dating back to the 13th century and a guide will take you through history and culture behind Bohemian beer.

Once done with the tour you can sample some of the country’s finest beer. There is also a gift shop for souvenirs.

Practical Information:

Address: Husova 7, 110 00 Prague 1

Opening Hours: Monday – Sunday 11 am – 8 pm

Website: Czech Beer Museum

10. The Museum of Decorative Arts

A section of the Museum By Wikimedia

This museum has a sophisticated display of historic and modern crafts such as glass, porcelain, jewellery, clocks and toys.

The collections in here have been complemented by works from partners like; the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, and Germany’s International Museum of Ceramics.

Space was recently expanded through renovations and this means more permanent exhibitions. A tour of the museum will inform the visitor on the history of Czech’s design and decorative art.

There are more than 50,000 pieces showcased in there. For exclusive gifts from Prague, pass by the museum’s shop and choose a catalogue, stationery, scarves and more for keepsake.

Practical Infomation:

Address: street 17. listopadu 2, 110 00 Prague 1

Opening Hours: Website

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