Museum of Cubism
Many visitors to Prague focus on the external beauty of the city’s buildings while forgetting to discover what is on the inside. But while Prague’s stunning architecture is some of the most well-preserved in Europe, its museums rival its facades in intrigue and historical importance. As such, here are the top seven museums in Prague:
1. Museum of the City of Prague / Muzeum hlavního mesta Prahy
Address: Na Porici 52, Prague 8, Czech Republic
Metro: Florenc
Tram: 3, 8, 14, 52, 55
The Museum of the City of Prague focuses on the history of Prague from the 9th century to today. The main attraction is Antonin Langweil’s 20 square foot (2 square meter) paper-and-wood model of the city of Prague. Constructed in the early 19th century, it took Langweil over 10 years to complete.
Legend has it that Langweil tried to sell the model to the museum during his lifetime, but the museum waited until after his death to take it from his home for free.
2. Museum of W. A. Mozart and the Dušeks / Muzeum W. A. Mozarta a manželů Duškových
Address: Vila Bertramka, Mozartova 169, Prague 5, Czech Republic
Metro: Andel
Tram: 4, 6, 9, 12, 14
Mozart completed his famous opera, Don Giovanni, in the Dušeks’ villa in 1787. Today the beautiful Rococo building houses the Mozart Museum in Prague, which exhibits Mozart memorabilia and offers outdoor concerts in the gardens during the summer.
3. National Museum / Národní museum
Address: Vaclavske Namesti 68, Prague 1, Czech Republic
Metro: Muzeum
Tram: 11
The Czech National Museum is housed in an imposing Neoclassical building at the top of Wenceslas Square in Prague. The museum exhibits an extensive collection of prehistoric artifacts from Bohemia, Moravia, and Slovakia, as well as exhibits on mineralogy, paleontology, zoology, and anthropology.
4. Jewish Museum in Prague / Židovského muzea v Praze
Address: U Stare Skoly 1, Prague 1, Czech Republic
Metro: Staromestska
Tram: 17, 18
The Jewish Museum in Prague has one of the largest collections of Judaic art and memorabilia in the world. The museum consists of six different buildings: the Maisel Synagogue, Spanish Synagogue, Pinkas Synagogue, Klausen Synagogue, Old Jewish Cemetery, and Ceremonial Hall. All buildings are located near each other, and visitors can choose to visit any combination of them.
5. Mucha Museum / Muchovo muzeum
Address: Kaunicky Palac, Panska 7, Prague 1, Czech Republic
Metro: Namesti Republiky, Mustek
Tram: 3, 9, 14, 24, 51, 52, 54, 55, 56, 58
The Mucha Museum is a must-visit for lovers of Art Nouveau. The Museum highlights art by Czech artist Alfons Mucha, who was famous for the Art Nouveau works he produced while living in France.
The museum houses many of Mucha’s famous paintings, photographs, drawings, and personal belongings.
6. Museum of Communism / Muzeum komunismu
Address: Na Prikope 10, Prague 1, Czech Republic
Metro: Namesti Republiky, Mustek
Tram: 3, 9, 14, 24, 51, 52, 54, 55, 56, 58
The Museum of Communism in Prague showcases memorabilia from the Communist period of 1948 to 1989. The slogan, “Communism: the Dream, the Reality, and the Nightmare”, is indicative of the array of themes the museum covers.
With everything from video clips to historical memorabilia and a replica of a communist interrogation room, the museum provides a thorough yet light-hearted depiction of life under communist rule.
7. Museum of Czech Cubism
Address: House of the Black Madonna, Celetna Ulice, Prague 1, Czech Republic
Metro: Namest Republiky, Mustek
Tram: 5, 8, 24, 26, 51, 54, 56
The Museum of Czech Cubism is one of the most unique museums in Prague. Housed in the famous House of the Black Madonna near Old Town Square, it is home to a wide range of cubist art, furniture, and textiles. It is a great place to visit if you are interested in art and architecture.