The National Museum in Prague is the largest and oldest museum in the Czech Republic and is a must-see for all lovers of architecture. It is located on Wenceslas Square in the old and the new buildings, connected by an underground corridor…
Over 14 million exhibits are housed here, making the museum the largest in the Czech Republic.
The museum’s permanent exhibits with a variety of topics and contents allow everyone to find something interesting, especially if you happen to be here on a rainy day.
Time will fly by.
Historic or old building
This building in the Renaissance style is a story in itself. It dominates the panorama of Wenceslas Square and is a real treat for architecture lovers.
It was built as a symbol of the awakening of the Czech nation between 1818 and 1891 on the site of the Horse Gate because Wenceslas Square was once the main horse market in Prague.
The main architect was Josef Schulz, who was given free reign for both the exterior and the interior. When it was completed, the building was a real architectural gem.
Later, the building underwent many renovations after being damaged in World War II. Then, during the Soviet occupation, as well as during the construction of the Prague metro, but the initial design remained intact.
As grandiose as it is on the outside, it is even more magnificent on the inside.
The grandiosity of the main entrance can be compared to many buildings in Europe. It is designed to amaze and impress anyone who enters.
Plaster works, ornaments, decorations, frescoes, it can be said that in some places the building, with its beauty, diverts attention from the exhibits.
This grand staircase and entrance have starred in many famous and lesser known movies.
In the movie Casino Royale from the James Bond series, this hall represented a luxury hotel in Venice, and also in the movie Mission Impossible from 1996, you can recognize some shots that were filmed in the museum.
In this building there is a rich collection of fossils, rocks, minerals, bones. The collection is designed to bring you closer to the nature and history of the Czech Republic.
Also, there are stuffed models of many animals here.
So, for example, you can see a stuffed mammoth in life size.
The copies of some animals are very faithful and every detail has been thought of.
In this part of the exhibition you will learn all about evolution, and the most important exhibit is a huge whale skeleton in life size.
Many animals are depicted in their natural environment.
About 1,500 exhibits are on display here, thanks to which you can take a look at the flora and fauna of the whole world.
This is evidenced by a very impressive 17 m long squid model, which you can only see in this place.
An impressive collection of minerals was among the first to be donated to the museum at the beginning of its establishment in 1818. and by one of its founders.
Namely, Count Kaspar Sternberg donated his collection of minerals to the future museum.
Back then, collecting minerals was a kind of hobby for the nobility.
Later, many others followed his example. That’s how those private collections became available to the public.
As the collection grew, it was necessary to adequately accommodate over 4,000 exhibits. Then, around 1892, these glass showcases were made, the layout of which has not been changed for almost 100 years.
The museum was first set up as a natural history museum only around 1840 when the foundations and historical exhibits were laid.
The historical collection grew slowly and it took 100 years for it to catch up with the natural history collection.
The historical part of the museum has the task of telling you something about Czech history with over 2000 exhibits.
There are also such exhibits as the smallest examples of medieval jewelry as well as the grandiose archbishop’s carriage from the 18th century.
The dome
The dome offers a spectacular view of Wenceslas Square.
You can go up to the dome using a combination of elevator and stairs.
Access to the dome is not accessible for people in wheelchairs.
New building
This is a modern building, located to the right of the main building.
As its name suggests, it has a completely different architecture. It’s made from glass and concrete.
It became part of the National Museum only in 2009. Until then, it served as a stock exchange building, then as a radio building, and then as part of the parliament. It was built in 1937. and later renovated many times.
It contains exhibits of recent Czech history, which are also close to us. There are various rooms of an average Czech family.
There is half a tank here, as well as various objects from everyday life.
This building covers the period of the 20th century and is very rich in exhibits.
Underground corridor
This tunnel connects these two buildings and makes it very easy for visitors to visit both museums without going out onto the busy street, and what is a special joy for me, it is fully wheelchair accessible.
Walking through it is very dynamic and if you stay in it long enough, you can watch the short film Moments of History, which is painted on both walls with real sound and light effects.
During the walk through the coridor, you will feel as if you have entered the movie and are part of the show.
Facilities for visitors
The ticket allows you to enter both buildings.
The National Museum is wheelchair accessible. The entrance is from the new building. There is a cafeteria, souvenir shop and toilets in the museum.
You can check the opening hours of the museum here.
Is the museum worth visiting?
This museum attracts over a million visitors annually. This is not without reason as it offers something for everyone.
It attracts naturalist enthusiasts, lovers of history, architecture, and beautiful paintings.
You can easily spend a whole day here thanks to numerous interactive exhibitions and workshops, which take you through various eras.
Conclusion
Visiting this museum reminded me of some things, and I learned something new.
I saw that an old building doesn’t have to mean it’s non-accessible. I enjoyed my visit unencumbered by the fact of how I would get in, out, and between floors. This is a museum where everyone is welcome and where I spent a fulfilling rainy afternoon.
Have you been to the Prague National Museum?
Did I miss something?
