The Czech National Museum and Its Most Interesting Buildings

One of Prague’s most well-known landmarks is the imposing neo-Classical National Museum (Národní muzeum), at the top of Wenceslas Square. It’s often referred to as the “main building” of the Museum, but there is much more to the Czech National Museum.

In fact, it’s an umbrella term for 17 separate museums in Prague and beyond, each devoted to a different field. As the main building is currently closed for reconstruction and the plan for re-opening is planned for 2018, why not take the opportunity to visit the other collections? We list some of the most popular below.

National Museum – New Building (Nová budova Národního muzea)

The New Building has a fascinating history. It was a stock exchange before 1938, and became the Czechoslovak Parliament building during Communism. After the Velvet Revolution in 1989, it was the headquarters of Radio Free Europe, before becoming part of the National Museum in 2006. It houses long-term as well as temporary exhibitions. The New Building is hosting long-term natural science exhibition Noah’s Ark and you can find it just a short walk away from Bohemia Apartments in Vodičkova street.

Czech Museum of Music (České muzeum hudby)

Czech Museum of Music is in Karmelitská street, close to Hellichova tram stop. Housed in a former church, the museum presents the history of Czech music and contains an extensive and varied collection of historic musical instruments. The temporary exhibitions are devoted to individual Czech composers.

Ethnographical Museum (Národopisné muzeum – Musaion)

Housed in a recently restored 19th summer house, on the southern edge of Petřín Hill, Musaion is devoted to folk culture in the Czech lands. The current exhibition brings Czech countryside to Prague.

National Monument on Vítkov Hill (Národní památník na Vítkově)

Once open only on special occasions, the monument houses an exhibition on modern Czech history. The roof of the building is a viewing platform, which is open to the public.

For more information on current expositions, see www.nm.cz. Please note that some buildings may be closed due to repairs.

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