The Národní Muzeum’s Museum Complex offers visitors captivating history and science exhibits, grand interiors, and stunning city views from the Historical Building’s dome.
History
The Národní Muzeum was founded in 1818 by a group of Czech nobility who sought to elevate the country’s standing in the scientific community. The Historical Building, which today stands as the centerpiece of the Národní Muzeum, was designed in the Neo-Renaissance style by Czech architect and designer Josef Schultz. It officially opened to the public on May 18, 1891, and was soon regarded as an international architectural masterpiece.
Visiting the Národní Muzeum
During my last day in Prague, the tour group was given a few hours of free time, which I thought was the perfect opportunity to visit the Museum Complex of the Národní Muzeum. Pictures of the Historical Building’s interior had captivated my attention, with its grand staircases, frescoes, gilded reliefs, marble columns, and beautiful glass ceilings and domes. I was also interested in exploring its many history and science exhibits and climbing to the dome to enjoy stunning views of Prague!
The Museum Complex comprises the Historical Building and the New Building, both of which contain a combination of permanent and temporary exhibits. The Historical Building features an impressive interior and houses numerous exhibits on history and science. The building also has an enclosed observation deck that provides sweeping views of the city. Next door to the Historical Building is the New Building, a more modern structure that can be accessed via a tunnel that connects the two sites. The New Building focuses on the Czech Republic’s 20th-century history and features a lapidarium, an exhibit showcasing Bohemian stone monuments from the 11th to the 19th century. The New Building also houses the Children’s Museum.
I had about two hours to explore the Historical Building, which provided enough time to view about 70% of the permanent exhibits and the observation deck. While both sets of exhibits were equally fascinating, I suggest starting with the history galleries, as they feature numerous unique artifacts. I did not have the opportunity to visit the New Building during this trip.
The history-focused exhibits cover the history of the Czech lands from the 8th century through World War I. This area of the museum features 2,000 displays showcasing tapestries, manuscripts, weapons and armor, religious relics, paintings, and numerous artifacts discovered through archaeological digs.
The three science-focused exhibits are just as interesting and are great not only for kids but for the young at heart who get excited at the sight of giant fossils and models of prehistoric animals. I know I felt like a kid marveling at the remains of the magnificent giants that once roamed the Earth!
The natural history collection at the Museum Complex of the Národní Muzeum is among the institution’s largest. It contains over 15 million items spanning from several billion years ago to today.
A View from the Top
I am very much terrified of heights, so you can imagine my horror when I reached the top and the floor was clear, squeaky plexiglass! Convinced I might fall through, I quickly snapped some pictures and made a beeline for the exit.
My reward for conquering my fears was amazing views of St. Vitus Cathedral & Wenceslas Square!
The Museum Complex is located in Nové Město (New Town) at the head of Wenceslas Square. It is very accessible via public transportation, with a metro station (Muzeum Station) and a bus stop located right across the street. Regarding walking distance, it is about 15 minutes from Old Town Square and 25 minutes from Charles Bridge.
The Národní Muzeum sells passes that cover admission to both the Historical Building and the New Building, but the Children’s Museum requires a separate ticket. This ticket is time-entry specific for a 90-minute slot.
The museum offers admission discounts to children and those in certain age groups. A few days a year, the Národní Muzeum offers free admission to all visitors.
An e-ticket is only valid for 30 days from the purchase date. All tickets are valid for just one single visit.
Both buildings in the Museum Complex are accessible.
Travel Tips
The Národní Muzeum is a network of museums throughout Prague that offers visitors a never-ending source of exhibits focusing on history, art, music, and science.
For reference, these are the other museums:
Czech Museum of Music
Náprstek Museum of Asian, African, & American Cultures
Ethnographic Museum of the National Museum
Antonín Dvořák Museum
Bedřich Smetana Museum
Memorial to František Palacký & František Ladislav Rieger
Museum of Czech Puppets & Circus
Vrchotovy Janovice Chateau
Statue of St. Wenceslas
One of Wenceslas Square’s main attractions is the equestrian statue of St. Wenceslas, sculpted by Josef Václav Myslbek. Wenceslas served as Prince of Bohemia in the 10th century and would later be assassinated by his brother and a group of nobles.
The statue of St. Wenceslas is surrounded by carvings of four other Czech saints: Saint Ludmila, Saint Agnes of Bohemia, Saint Prokop, and Saint Adalbert of Prague.
Memorial to Jan Palach
Near the entrance of the Historical Building, lies a simple but very poignant memorial dedicated to Czech student Jan Palach. The late 1960s were turbulent years in what was then Czechoslovakia. In January of 1969, the Soviet Union invaded Czechoslovakia in an effort to stop the reforms of Alexander Dubček in a period known as the Prague Spring. On January 16th of that year, Jan set himself on fire as a form of political protest. He was 20 at the time of his death.
Resources
For more information on the museums, including opening hours, special exhibits, and other details, visit the Národní Muzeum’s website.
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