National Museum

The National Museum (Národní Muzeum) in Prague is made up of two buildings: The Main Building is the original, the interior of which is closed for renovation until June 2015.

The other is the New Building, which became part of the National Museum in 2009. This remains open, and is the dark building to the left of the Main Building as you face it from Wenceslas Square.

Prior to its closure, the Main Building of the National Museum was the oldest and largest museum in the Czech Republic. This monumental neo-Renaissance structure was designed by Josef Schultz as an architectural symbol of the Czech National Revival. Construction lasted from 1818-1891.

The Main Building of the National Museum is set in a commanding position at the top of Wenceslas Square, behind the statue of St. Wenceslas on his horse. It is built on the site of the former Horse Gate, so named because Wenceslas Square once served as the main Prague horse market.

The entrance hall of the National Museum is grand, with sweeping staircases and intricate stonework. There are also beautiful frescos on the ceilings.

The exhibition rooms, which were looking tired, will be the main beneficiary of the restoration works.

Before joining the National Museum, the New Building served as the parliament of Czechoslovakia during the communist era. And more recently, it was home to Radio Free Europe.

The New Building presents a programme of temporary exhibitions. We list the important ones in our events section: Prague Events.

To discover more about the National Museum, take a Prague tour:
Prague Grand City Sightseeing Tour
Prague Grand City Sightseeing Tour & Boat
Prague Intro Sightseeing Tour
Best of Prague Walking Tour
Prague Explorer Walking Tour.