National Museum
New Town, Prague 1

It occupies two magnificent buildings at the top of Wenceslas Square, the Historical Building and New Building. An Underground Corridor links the two.

The museum focuses on the nature and history of Czechia. It also stages temporary exhibitions on subjects of national and international significance, from Communism to Ancient Egypt to Space.

Historical Building of the National Museum

The Historical Building of the National Museum is a monumental neo-Renaissance structure set in a commanding position at the top of Wenceslas Square.

A grand entrance hall greets visitors, which is filled with intricate stonework, beautiful ceiling frescoes, and has a large sweeping staircase.

The exhibition rooms leading off it house a stunning natural history collection of fossils, rocks, minerals, meteorites and animal bones, including the skeleton of a huge fin whale. There are also stuffed and life-size models of animals and birds, some of which are prehistoric and extinct, like the woolly mammoth.

Other rooms house exhibitions on the history of Prague and the Czech lands, from the early 8th century Germanic and Celtic tribes that inhabited the region to the First World War. This far reaching story covers 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

The New Building of the National Museum is also an imposing and iconic structure, but 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, elevated high above street level.

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

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

The New Building of the National Museum was constructed in 1937. This was before the Nazi and Communist occupations of Prague, but perhaps it was a portent of the turmoil to come—from outside the building seems to exude a chilling power.

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

The New Building was incorporated into the National Museum in 2009.

Underground Corridor

An Underground Corridor connects the Historical Building with the New Building, enabling visitors to see the whole museum complex without exiting and crossing the road above.

A film entitled 'Moments of History' is projected along the sides of the corridor, for people to watch as they pass through.

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

The Cupola (The Dome)

In the Historical Building, visitors can ride a lift (extra charge) up to the grand Cupola (Dome), to enjoy magnificent 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

A National Museum ticket allows you to visit both buildings, plus use the Underground Corridor that links them. It also covers admission to most temporary exhibitions.

Visitors can enter and buy tickets at either building. The New Building usually has the shorter queues.

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