The Národní Galerie Praha (National Gallery Prague) is a collection of art museums across the city, each dedicated to a specific art period or style.
Art lovers visiting Prague will enjoy exploring the many museums that comprise the Národní Galerie Praha. Each focuses on a distinct art period, and several are housed in stunning historical sites, such as the Kinsky Palace or the Monastery of St. Agnes of Bohemia. From old masters like Rembrandt and Rubens to Czech icons such as Alphonse Mucha, the galleries offer something for every taste.
I absolutely love art museums, so visiting one while in Prague was at the top of my must-see list. With a passion for Renaissance and Baroque style paintings, I decided to visit the galleries at Šternberský Palace & Schwarzenberg Palace; two museums that are part of the Národní Galerie Praha.
At Schwarzenberg Palace, the permanent exhibit is called “Old Masters” in reference to the collection of artworks by greats like El Greco, Peter Rubens, Rembrandt, Hans Holbein, Jan Gossaert, and many others. Across the street in Šternberský Palace, one finds more paintings from the old masters, along with a rare collection of Russian Christian icons and a series of 14th and 15th century Italian paintings belonging to Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria.
If I had more time in Prague, I would have visited the Convent of St. Agnes of Bohemia. This museum, also part of the Národní Galerie Praha, showcases a collection of splendid altarpieces and medieval paintings. Alas, there are so many museums, and so little time!
Standing before this altarpiece was one of the biggest wow moments of my trip. This is the Göttingen Altarpiece with the Passion of Christ painted by Hans Raphon. Today, only 13 of the estimated 41 panels exist. The left panels depict the events leading up to Christ’s death, while the right panels show the moments that followed. The middle panel portrays the Crucifixion of Christ.
Visiting the Museums
The galleries at Schwarzenberg Palace and Šternberský Palace are well-curated, featuring a superb selection of artwork, sculptures, and altarpieces. Another point of interest is that, as these museums are housed inside palaces, some of the galleries have masterfully painted ceilings.
How much time do you need to visit the museums? I visited the galleries at Schwarzenberg Palace on a Saturday morning, and there were a handful of guests but no crowds. It took me about 90 minutes to see all three floors, but I was going at a leisurely pace, taking the time to admire the paintings. As for the Šternberský Palace, I went early in the afternoon, and I was the only person in the museum. That museum only has one floor open to the public, and it took me about an hour to see all the artwork.
To get to the museums, you can either walk or take public transportation. Since I wanted to explore Prague and cross the Charles Bridge, I opted to walk, and that journey took about 30 minutes from my hotel, which was located near Old Town Square. After crossing the bridge, the walk became an adventure of climbing hills and stairs – lots of stairs (a bit over 200 steps)!!
For those unable to navigate stairs or steep hills, Tram 22 will be the best option for getting to the museums.
A perk about visiting these two museums is that they are located in Hradčany Square, which is just west of Prague Castle. The square is lined with historic palaces and homes, contains a small park, and provides beautiful views of Prague.
The Národní Galerie Praha charges a basic rate for each museum, plus reduced admission for those who qualify. The back of the ticket provides a handy map showing the location of each museum along with the closest metro stop. Of course, you can always walk or take one of the Prague trams.
Visitors to the Národní Galerie Praha can receive a 10% discount on basic admission when purchasing tickets for two or more exhibitions. Guests planning to visit four or more art museums can buy a 10-day pass, which offers considerable savings.
The Schwarzenberg Palace features wheelchair-accessible elevators and restrooms. The Šternberský Palace is not accessible; the only way to reach the galleries, located on the 3rd floor, is via a set of stairs.
The Národní Galerie Praha offers special services for guests with visual and hearing impairments.
Travelers with larger bags or personal items, such as umbrellas, can use the cloakroom free of charge.
by Antonio Vivarini
Travel Tip
Beyond the Národní Galerie Praha, Prague offers several other must-visit art museums for enthusiasts.
Those interested in learning more about the local Czech artist Alphonse Mucha can visit the Mucha Museum.
Another fascinating art collection is located in the heart of Prague Castle, the Lobkowicz Collections. This private collection features over 1,000 paintings and is one of the best collections of Spanish Renaissance artwork outside of Madrid and Vienna.
Resources
For more information and to plan your visit, check out the Národní Galerie Praha’s website.
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