- Address: Jánský vršek 8, 118 00 Malá Strana, Czech Republic
- Working hours: 10: 00-20: 00
In the capital of the Czech Republic, near the Prague Castle, there is the Museum of Alchemists and Magicians (Muzeum alchymistů a mágů staré Prahy). It is located in an ancient building, where once there was a laboratory of a Scottish scientist, and today attracts lovers of mysticism from all over the planet.
To whom is the institution dedicated?
In the Middle Ages, Prague was called the capital of magic, so a large number of alchemists gathered in the city. Some of them were real scientists, and others were scammers and charlatans. Very often they made discoveries (for example, B. Schwartz came up with gunpowder), because in those days science and mysticism coexisted closely with each other.
The most famous representative of this profession was Edward Kelly (1555-1597 gg.). He became famous for his skills: Kelly was supposedly able to summon angels and spirits into the crystal ball, and also turn any metal into gold. Rudolf the Second granted the scientist the title of "baron of the kingdom." By the way, the monarch did not wait for the promised jewels and eventually arrested the alchemist.
In the 16th century such well-known mages worked in the laboratory: Tycho Brahe, Tades Hajek, Rabbi Leo, and others. They prepared the elixirs of youth, produced various drugs, sought the harmony of spheres and tried to create a philosopher's stone.
The Museum of Alchemists and Magicians is located in the oldest building in Prague, which is protected by the World Organization of UNESCO. It was first mentioned in the year 900. The house was close to an important trade route connecting Spain with the Far East. Over time, a Jewish quarter was formed here, and the construction miraculously survived during the genocide and wars.
At present the house is called "The donkey in the cradle". According to legend, this name was given to the building because of Edward Kelly, who was cut off with ears for the lie. This saw the townspeople and began to talk about the magician to her neighbors. When the woman returned home, then in the crib instead of the child lay an ass.
In the 20th century, the building found workshops and an underground passage linking the barracks, the Old Town Hall and the Prague Castle. These findings can be seen in the modern museum.
What to see?
Opening the door of the institution, visitors will enter the world of sorcery. Here are folded decrepit scrolls from time to time, a variety of flasks, in which potions were prepared, and magical accessories. The exposition consists of 2 parts:
- underground laboratory of the scientist;
- mysterious catacombs.
During the tour of the Museum of Magic and Alchemy in Prague you will see:
- the famous hole in the ceiling - tourists are told that through it the devil carried away sorcerers;
- attic, where the ancient scientific books, glass vessels, tubes and wax figures of magicians are stored;
- a small human skeleton - it is located in a glass flask and recalls the Golem (the hero of the Czech legends);
- The oldest staircase in Prague, called the spiral of life;
- oven magician - you will be offered to inflate with furs, and then cook in it an elixir.
Many exhibits of the museum are interactive, they can be touched and run. After the tour, visitors are taken to the Kellixir restaurant, where you can try decoctions and potions.
Features of visit
The Museum of Alchemists and Magicians in Prague works every day from 10:00 to 20:00. The duration of the excursion is half an hour, the outlet is a shop. It sells magical elixirs for preserving youth and health, attracting love and wealth. The ticket price is:
- $ 8.5 for adults;
- $ 6.5 - for pensioners and students;
- $ 2 - for children under 15;
- $ 18 - for a family of 4 people.
How to get there?
The museum can be reached by metro , the station is called Malostranská, and by trams Nos. 12, 15, 20. It is necessary to leave at the Malostranské náměstí stop. From the center of Prague here lead such streets: Václavské nám., Žitná and Letenská. The distance is about 4 km.