Museums and Galleries

Museums

In addition to all the other cultural possibilities you can also visit one of many local, regional or specialized museums in the Czech Republic. The best Czech museums are located in Prague.

National Technical Museum (Museum of Technology)
Kostelni 42, phone 220 399 111, daily 9 am to 5 pm except Monday

Fascinating collection of old cars, motorcycles, bikes, planes, trains, cameras, watches, clocks and other technological achievements housed in a 1930s building.

Closed for reconstruction from September 10, 2006 till 2010.

National Museum (Natural Sciences Museum)
Wenceslas Square 68, phone 224 497 111, daily 10 am to 6 pm

Its famous and beautiful building is located at the top of Wenceslas square. It has collections of animals, vegetables, mineral specimens, archeology and numismatics. Do not miss the Pantheon which holds the statues of famous Czechs and which has wonderful view to the whole Wenceslas Square.

Antonin Dvorak Museum
Ke Karlovu 20, phone 224 918 013, daily 10 am to 5 pm except Monday

Original scores, quill and other belongings are on display in fabulous baroque Villa America devoted to the life and works of the famous Czech composer. You might know Antonin Dvorak (1841-1904) as the author of Slavonic Dances and of the symphony From the New World. You can see the cap and gown that he wore when he received an honorary doctorate from the Cambridge University in 1891.

Bedrich Smetana Museum
Novotneho lavka 1, phone 222 220 082, daily 10 am to 5 pm except Tuesday

Museum located in neo Renaissance building on a mini peninsula by the side of Charles Bridge with a stunning view to the Bridge and the Castle is dedicated to the life and works of another famous Czech composer Bedrich Smetana (1824-1884). You might know him as the author of the Cycle of Symphonic Poems My Fatherland. On display are original scores, family photos and newspaper reviews.

Jewish Museum
U stare skoly 1, phone 221 711 511, daily 9 am to 4:30 pm except Saturdays and Jewish religious holidays

Exhibits documenting Prague's Jewish community in historic synagogues (High, Spanish, Klaus, Maisel and Pinkas synagogues). Old Jewish Cemetery is a part of the museum and is accessible from Siroka 3.

Alphonse Mucha Museum
Panska 7, phone 224 216 415, daily 10 am to 6 pm

Museum invites you to discover the works of the master of Art Noveau, Alphonse Mucha (1860-1939), including lithographs, paintings, drawing, pastels, statues, photos and personal memorabilia. Collection provides unique view into the world of painter of Sarah Bernhardt, legendary Parisian actress of the late 19th century.

Museum of Decorative Arts
17. listopadu 2, phone: 251 093 111, daily 10 am to 6 pm except Monday

Displays of Czech crystal, porcelain and woodcarving in a neo Renaissance palace next to Rudolfinum concert hall.

Wax Museum
Melantrichova 5, phone 224 229 852, daily 9 am to 8 pm

Over 60 figures of Czech history in living wax (including Charles IV, Rudolf II, T. G. Masaryk, Vaclav Havel and Franz Kafka). Do not miss especially the communist rulers gallery :-)

Other Museums

  • Naprstek Museum of Asian, African and American Cultures, Betlemske namesti 1, phone 224 497 500, daily 10 am to 6 pm except Monday
  • Physical Education and Sport Museum, Ujezd 450, phone 257 311 703, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday 9 am to 5 pm
  • Prague Municipal Museum, Na porici 52, phone 224 816 773, daily 9 am to 6 pm except Monday
  • Toys Museum, Jirska 6, Prague Castle, phone 224 372 295, daily 9:30 am to 5:30 pm
  • Army Museum, U pamatniku 1900, phone 222 781 676, daily 10 am to 6 pm
  • Museum of Military History, Hradcany Square, phone 220 202 023, daily 10 am to 6 pm except Mondays and Fridays
  • Aviation Museum, Mladoboleslavska Street, phone 220 207 504, daily 10 am to 6 pm except Mondays and Fridays
  • Czech Literature Museum, Strahov Monastery, phone 220 516 695, daily 9 am to 5 pm except Monday
  • Postage Stamp Museum, Nove Mlyny 2, phone 222 312 006, daily 9 am to 5 pm except Monday
  • Marionette Museum, Karlova 12, phone 224 221 602, daily 11 am to 8 pm
  • Comenius Museum, Valdstejnska 20, phone 257 533 455, closed for reconstruction
  • Police Museum, Ke Karlovu 1, phone 224 922 183, daily 10 am to 5 pm except Monday

Galleries

There are hundreds galleries in Prague. Some are located in theater buildings, hotel lobbies, restaurants, cafeterias. Some of them have no promotion and the only chance to find them is just to walk around the city and look. Lots of small galleries come and go. But there are also a dozen excellent state run galleries with a large collections. Look at our list and choose. National Gallery, Museum of Modern Arts
Veletrzni Palace (Trade Fair Palace), Dukelskych hrdinu 47, phone 224 301 111, daily 10 am to 6 pm except Monday

The largest collection of modern and contemporary arts in Prague is presented on six floors inside beautiful Functionalism structure. There are permanent expositions of 19th and 20th century French art, Czech art 1960-1995, 20th century European art and always a couple of interesting temporary exhibitions. If you are modern art lover, do not miss it!

National Gallery, Permanent Collections

Sternberk Palace (Sternberg Palace)
Hradcanske namesti 15, phone 233 090 570, daily 10 am to 6 pm except Monday

Old European art collection in this beautiful Baroque palace just in front of the Prague Castle includes works of Italian, Dutch, German and Austrian painters from the 14th to 18th centuries. Find there Lorenzo Monaco, A. Bronzino, P. Veneto, J. Ribera, G. P. Tiepolo, El Greco, Goya, P. P. Rubens, A. van Dyck, J. Jordanes, Rembrant, Frans Hals, H. Holbein, Lucas Cranach, A. Durer.

St Agnes Convent
U milosrdnych 17, phone 221 879 111, daily 10 am to 6 pm except Monday

The 19th century Czech paintings and sculptures are on display inside of the oldest (1234) standing Gothic structures in Prague. The convent buildings are now finely restored.

St George Monastery
Jirske namesti 33, phone 257 531 644, daily 10 am to 6 pm except Monday

Find an excellent Czech Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque art collection (including the famous jewel of 14th century) in this ordinary looking building which was the first Bohemia's convent established in 973 right in the heart of Prague Castle.

Prague Municipal Gallery
The municipal gallery organizes exhibitions in its buildings continuously. Get the schedule from any visitor center.

Stone Bell House
Old Town Square 13, phone 224 827 526, daily 10 am to 6 pm except Monday

The house at Old Town Square next to the Church of Our Lady before Tyn is named for the house sign at the corner of the building. Its 14th century Romanesque dignity was rescued in the 1960s from Baroque renovation.

Old Town Hall
Old Town Square 1, phone 224 482 751, daily 10 am to 6 pm except Monday

Some exhibitions are held on the second floor of this one of the most famous buildings in Prague.

House of the Golden Ring
Ungelt, Tynska 6, phone 224 827 022, daily 10 am to 6 pm except Monday

The 20th century Czech art unique collection is presented in recently opened permanent exposition next to the Old Town Square.

Troja Castle
U Trojskeho zamku 1, phone 283 851 614, daily 10 am to 6 pm except Monday

The 17th century Baroque chateau above its French gardens is located out of the city center next to the Zoo. Find there the 19th century Czech fine art collections and some temporary exhibitions.

Bilek's Villa
Mickiewiczova 1, phone 224 322 021, closed for reconstruction

Find there works by Frantisek Bilek (1872-1941), prominent Art Noveau symbolist and mystic.

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