National Museum

It occupies two iconic buildings at the top of Wenceslas Square, the "Historical Building" and the "New Building", with an "Underground Corridor" linking the two. Visitors can also ride a lift up to the grand Cupola to take in views of the city.

The focus of the National Museum is nature, the history of Czechia, ethnography, music and literature. In addition, it hosts temporary exhibitions on a variety of topics from communism to ancient Egypt to space travel.

Historical Building of the National Museum

The Historical Building of the National Museum is where the majority of exhibits are housed. It is a monumental neo-Renaissance structure set in a commanding position at the top of Wenceslas Square.

Visitors are welcomed by a magnificent entrance hall and a sweeping staircase, adorned with intricate stonework and stunning ceiling frescoes.

Permanent exhibitions include: The Miracles of Evolution, Halls of Minerals, History, and Windows into Prehistory.

It is one of the most modern natural history museums in Europe, housing a vast collection of fossils, rocks, minerals, meteorites, and animal bones, including the skeleton of a massive fin whale. Also on display are stuffed and life-size models of animals and birds, some of which are prehistoric and extinct like the woolly mammoth and a fierce looking sabre-toothed tiger.

Displays covering the history of Prague and the Czech lands explore from the early 8th century Germanic and Celtic tribes that once inhabited the region through to the First World War. It is a far reaching story, featuring the foundation of Prague, Medieval times, the Habsburg dynasty, and the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

In addition, the Historical Building presents a rolling programme of temporary exhibitions, the best of which are listed in Prague events.

The Historical Building of the National Museum was built between 1818 and 1891 on the site of the former Horse Gate (Wenceslas Square was once the main horse market in Prague).

The museum was designed by Josef Schultz as an architectural symbol of the Czech National Revival.

New Building of the National Museum

Incorporated into the National Museum in 2009, the New Building is of an entirely different architectural style. The ground floor is a huge oblong block covered in glass. On top sits an even larger block of concrete and glass, imposingly elevated high above street level.

The New Building focuses on more recent times. One permanent exhibition, 'History of the 20th Century', explores a dramatic period in Prague spanning the First Czechoslovak Republic, the two world wars, the Nazi and Communist eras, and Czechia’s accession to the European Union.

Another permanent exhibition, entitled Children's Museum, encourages discovery, imagination and creativity for the younger generation. It presents more child-friendly perspectives on nature, people and their creations through interactive exhibits and game elements.

The New Building also houses a rolling programme of temporary exhibitions.

The New Building of the National Museum was constructed in 1937, before the Nazi and Communist occupations of Prague, but perhaps a portent of the turmoil to come - viewed from the street outside, the building exudes a chilling power.

The New Building originally served as the Prague Stock Exchange (1938–1939). During Communist times, it became the Parliament of Czechoslovakia (1946-1992). It then served as the headquarters for Radio Free Europe (1995–2009).

Underground Corridor

An Underground Corridor connects the Historical Building with the New Building, enabling visitors to explore both buildings in the museum complex without exiting and crossing the road above.

A film entitled 'Moments of History' is projected along the sides of the Underground Corridor, for visitors to watch as they walk through it.

The film shows the evolution of Wenceslas Square from Prehistoric times to the modern day. It covers the main periods of the city's history, including the Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, Nazi and Communist eras.

The Cupola (The Dome)

In the Historical Building, visitors can ride the lift up to the grand Cupola (Dome) to take in views over Wenceslas Square and across the city to Prague Castle.

Visitor Facilities

The National Museum offers barrier-free access via the New Building. It also has a Kids' Corner (new building), cafés, shops and toilets.

Tickets

An entrance ticket for the National Museum allows you to visit both buildings, and use the Underground Corridor that links them. It also covers admission to most of the temporary exhibitions.

Visitors can buy tickets and enter the museum complex via both buildings. TIP: The New Building usually has shorter queues.

To explore the sights in Prague, take a Prague tour.