National Museum
New Town, Prague 1

The museum's primary focus is the nature and history of the country, although it also stages temporary exhibitions on subjects of international significance, ranging from 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 head of Wenceslas Square.

Inside, a grand entrance hall with sweeping staircases, intricate stonework, and beautiful ceiling frescos greets visitors. The exhibition rooms that lead 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 8th century Germanic and Celtic tribes that first inhabited the region to the First World War. They tell a dramatic story, spanning the foundation of Prague, Medieval times, the Habsburg dynasty and the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

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

The Historical Building of the National Museum was constructed between 1818 and 1891 on the site of the former Horse Gate (Wenceslas Square once served as Prague's main horse market).

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

New Building of the National Museum

Adjacent to the Historical Building, 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 continues the story of Prague with a permanent exhibition covering the History of the 20th Century. This dramatic period spanned the First Czechoslovak Republic, two world wars, Nazi and Communist occupations, and Czechia’s accession to the European Union.

Other rooms at the New Building house 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). And finally joined the National Museum in 2009.

Underground Corridor

An underground corridor connects the Historical Building to the New Building, which enables visitors to see the whole museum complex without exiting and crossing the road above.

A rolling film, entitled 'Moments of History', is projected onto the sides of the corridor for people to watch as they walk through it. The images depict the evolution of Wenceslas Square from Prehistoric times to the modern day, covering all the main periods of history, including the Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, Nazi and Communist eras.

The Cupola (Dome)

From the Historical Building, visitors can ride a lift (extra charge) up to the grand Cupola (Dome). Looking out from the huge windows inside it, enjoy terrific views over Wenceslas Square, and right 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, toilets and free cloakrooms.

Tickets

A ticket for the National Museum allows you to visit both buildings, and to use the corridor that connects them. You can buy a ticket at either building (the New Building usually has shorter queues).

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