National Museum of the Czech Republic

In Prague there is the National Museum (Národní muzeum), which is the largest in the Czech Republic . There are more than one million exhibits attracting the attention of tourists with its diversity and significance.

Historical background

The institution was opened in 1818, its main goal was to preserve the culture of the population. The main initiator and sponsor was Count Kaspar from Sternberk. The building of the National Museum was built at the address: Prague, Wenceslas Square .

His design was handled by the famous Czech architect named Josef Schultz. The interior design was entrusted to the well-known artist in the country - Bohuslav Dvorak. In the XX century, the exposition of the institution ceased to be located in one building. It was divided into several large collections, which are now located in various buildings.

Architecture and interior of the main building

The building is a majestic monumental building, made in the neo-Renaissance style. Its height exceeds 70 m, and the length of the facade is 100 m. The structure is decorated with 5 domes: 4 located at the corners and 1 - in the center. Below him in the National Museum is the Pantheon, consisting of collections of busts and sculptures of famous figures of the Czech Republic.

Before the main entrance there is a monument to St. Wenceslas and a sculptural group, which consists of 3 people:

The interior of the main building impresses with its imposing hall. It is decorated with statues made by the famous sculptor of the Czech Republic - Ludwig Schwanthaler. The Pantheon has a magnificent staircase, and on the walls you can see pictures of the country's famous artists, which show 16 castles .

What to see in the National Museum of the Czech Republic?

In the main building there is an exposition devoted to natural science, and a large library consisting of 1.3 million volumes and 8,000 manuscripts.

In other exhibition halls are:

  1. Department of protohistory and prehistory. In this hall you will see the exhibits devoted to the ancient European art. These objects were used by primitive people several thousand years ago.
  2. Department of Archeology. Here you can see the history of the development of the Czech Republic. The most valuable items are products from Bohemian crystal made in the 18th and 19th centuries, glass tiles dating back to the Renaissance, and a silver diadem made in the 12th century.
  3. Department of Ethnography. Exhibits of this room tell the history of the development of the Slavic peoples, from the XVII century to the present.
  4. Department of numismatics. Here you can see coins that went to the Czech Republic in different eras. Also in this room are stored foreign money related to ancient times.
  5. Department of theater. It was opened in 1930. The basis of this room was archival materials relating to the 2 theaters ("divadlo"): Vinograd and National . Today, various decorations, puppets, costumes and musical instruments are on display here.

Features of visit

If you want to see only a permanent exhibition, then for an adult ticket you will need to pay $ 4.5, and for a preferential - $ 3.2 (children under 15, students and people over 60). The cost of all exposures is approximately $ 9 and $ 6.5, respectively. The National Museum is open every day from 10:00 to 18:00.

The central building from 2011 to 2018 is closed for reconstruction. It will be connected with neighboring facilities, which will form a museum complex.

How to get there?

You can reach the place by buses Nos. 505, 511 and 135, trams Nos. 25, 16, 11, 10, 7, 5 and 1. The stop is called Na Knížecí. Also here you can walk along the streets of Legerova and Anglicka.