{"id":9992,"date":"2025-05-07T08:49:52","date_gmt":"2025-05-07T08:49:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/praguehints.com\/?p=9992"},"modified":"2025-05-07T08:49:52","modified_gmt":"2025-05-07T08:49:52","slug":"pragues-national-museum-a-living-landmark-atop-wenceslas-square","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/praguehints.com\/he\/pragues-national-museum-a-living-landmark-atop-wenceslas-square\/","title":{"rendered":"\u05d4\u05de\u05d5\u05d6\u05d9\u05d0\u05d5\u05df \u05d4\u05dc\u05d0\u05d5\u05de\u05d9 \u05e9\u05dc \u05e4\u05e8\u05d0\u05d2: \u05e6\u05d9\u05d5\u05df \u05d3\u05e8\u05da \u05d7\u05d9 \u05d1\u05e8\u05d0\u05e9 \u05db\u05d9\u05db\u05e8 \u05d5\u05d0\u05e6\u05dc\u05d1"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"\" data-start=\"69\" data-end=\"259\"><em data-start=\"107\" data-end=\"257\">The National Museum\u2019s grand Neo-Renaissance facade crowns the upper end of Prague\u2019s Wenceslas Square, a centerpiece of the city\u2019s cultural heritage.<\/em><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"263\" data-end=\"875\">Prague\u2019s National Museum building isn\u2019t just a museum \u2013 it\u2019s a monumental storyteller. Perched at the very top of bustling Wenceslas Square, this Neo-Renaissance palace has witnessed revolutions, wars, and rebirths in Czech history. From its conception in the 19th century as a \u201ctemple\u201d of learning and culture to its glittering re-opening in 2018 after a seven-year renovation, the building itself embodies the resilience and identity of the Czech nation. Join us on a journey through time as we explore the history, architecture, and legends of this iconic Prague landmark.<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-988\" src=\"https:\/\/praguehints.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/prague-national-museum-photos3-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" srcset=\"https:\/\/praguehints.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/prague-national-museum-photos3-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/praguehints.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/prague-national-museum-photos3-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/praguehints.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/prague-national-museum-photos3-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/praguehints.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/prague-national-museum-photos3-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/praguehints.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/prague-national-museum-photos3-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/praguehints.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/prague-national-museum-photos3-630x420.jpg 630w, https:\/\/praguehints.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/prague-national-museum-photos3-640x427.jpg 640w, https:\/\/praguehints.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/prague-national-museum-photos3-681x454.jpg 681w, https:\/\/praguehints.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/prague-national-museum-photos3.jpg 1725w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"\" data-start=\"877\" data-end=\"931\">From Patriotic Vision to Grand Design (1818\u20131891)<\/h2>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"933\" data-end=\"1785\">The story begins in 1818, when enlightened Czech aristocrats and scholars founded the National Museum (then called the Patriotic Museum of Bohemia) to preserve and showcase art, science and history<span class=\"ms-1 inline-flex max-w-full items-center relative top-[-0.094rem] animate-[show_150ms_ease-in]\"><a class=\"flex h-4.5 overflow-hidden rounded-xl px-2 text-[0.5625em] font-medium text-token-text-secondary! bg-[#F4F4F4]! dark:bg-[#303030]! transition-colors duration-150 ease-in-out\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/National_Museum_(Prague)#:~:text=The%20National%20Museum%20%28NM%29,the%20foundation%20of%20the%20museum\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"relative start-0 bottom-0 flex h-full w-full items-center\"><span class=\"flex h-4 w-full items-center justify-between overflow-hidden\"><span class=\"max-w-full grow truncate overflow-hidden text-center\">en.wikipedia.org<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span>. For decades the growing collections were housed in noble palaces \u2013 first the Sternberg Palace, then the Nostitz Palace \u2013 but by the mid-19th century, space had run out. The dream arose for a purpose-built museum that would stand as a <strong data-start=\"1440\" data-end=\"1477\">shrine to Czech national heritage<\/strong>. City leaders chose a prominent site at the end of Wenceslas Square, where the old <strong data-start=\"1561\" data-end=\"1575\">Horse Gate<\/strong> (a medieval city gate used for the horse market) had been torn down in 1875<span class=\"ms-1 inline-flex max-w-full items-center relative top-[-0.094rem] animate-[show_150ms_ease-in]\"><a class=\"flex h-4.5 overflow-hidden rounded-xl px-2 text-[0.5625em] font-medium text-token-text-secondary! bg-[#F4F4F4]! dark:bg-[#303030]! transition-colors duration-150 ease-in-out\" href=\"https:\/\/www.atlasceska.cz\/pamatky\/brana-konska-14802#:~:text=Praha\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"relative start-0 bottom-0 flex h-full w-full items-center\"><span class=\"flex h-4 w-full items-center justify-between overflow-hidden\"><span class=\"max-w-full grow truncate overflow-hidden text-center\">atlasceska.cz<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span>. This cleared the way for a grand new museum to dominate the skyline of emerging modern Prague.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"1787\" data-end=\"3327\">Architectural plans flooded in when a design competition was announced in 1883. The winning proposal came from <strong data-start=\"1935\" data-end=\"1951\">Josef Schulz<\/strong>, a renowned Czech architect (who also designed Prague\u2019s State Opera). Schulz\u2019s vision was a magnificent <strong data-start=\"2093\" data-end=\"2112\">Neo-Renaissance<\/strong> palace complete with a soaring central dome and an internal Pantheon \u2013 a grand hall filled with statues and busts of Czech greats. This Pantheon idea captured the patriotic spirit of the time, creating a literal hall of fame for Czech historical and cultural heroes inside the museum. Construction began in 1885 on the site, and the building\u2019s foundation stone was laid with great ceremony. Skilled artisans labored on elaborate stone carvings, frescoed ceilings, and ornamentation. Despite hopes to finish in three years, the project ran into delays due to bad weather and the painstaking detail required by its d\u00e9cor. Finally, on <strong data-start=\"2819\" data-end=\"2834\">18 May 1891<\/strong>, the National Museum\u2019s <strong data-start=\"2858\" data-end=\"2881\">Historical Building<\/strong> (Historick\u00e1 budova) opened its doors in a grand celebration. The result was breathtaking \u2013 a 104-meter-long sandstone fa\u00e7ade adorned with Corinthian columns and allegorical statues, and an interior of marble staircases, gilded trim, and painted domes. It immediately stood out as one of Europe\u2019s finest Neo-Renaissance buildings, a source of pride for the Czech people.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"3329\" data-end=\"4851\">Inside, visitors in the 1890s marveled at the <strong data-start=\"3375\" data-end=\"3398\">Pantheon (Panthe\u00f3n)<\/strong> under the central dome \u2013 a lofty hall lined with sculptures of Czech luminaries such as St. Wenceslas, historian Franti\u0161ek Palack\u00fd, poet Bo\u017eena N\u011bmcov\u00e1 and composer Bed\u0159ich Smetana. The richly painted dome overhead and the intricate stonework gave the space a church-like gravitas, fitting for a \u201ctemple of knowledge.\u201d Early exhibits focused on natural sciences (thanks to founder Count Sternberg\u2019s interests<span class=\"ms-1 inline-flex max-w-full items-center relative top-[-0.094rem] animate-[show_150ms_ease-in]\"><a class=\"flex h-4.5 overflow-hidden rounded-xl px-2 text-[0.5625em] font-medium text-token-text-secondary! bg-[#F4F4F4]! dark:bg-[#303030]! transition-colors duration-150 ease-in-out\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/National_Museum_(Prague)#:~:text=The%20National%20Museum%20in%20Prague,perpetrated%20by%20Emperor%20%20122\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"relative start-0 bottom-0 flex h-full w-full items-center\"><span class=\"flex h-4 w-full items-center justify-between overflow-hidden\"><span class=\"max-w-full grow truncate overflow-hidden text-center\">en.wikipedia.org<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span>), but soon historical artifacts and artworks found a home here as well. The <strong data-start=\"3923\" data-end=\"3945\">fin whale skeleton<\/strong> that Anton\u00edn Fri\u010d acquired in the 1880s became a star attraction in the zoological displays (more on that in the fun facts!) and symbolized the museum\u2019s commitment to bringing the wonders of the world to Prague. In these early years under Austro-Hungarian rule, the museum building itself grew into a <strong data-start=\"4247\" data-end=\"4287\">symbol of the Czech National Revival<\/strong> \u2013 a bold statement that the Czech language, culture, and scientific curiosity would thrive. So prominent was the museum\u2019s new edifice that plans were even made to install an enormous equestrian statue of Saint Wenceslas in its courtyard. In the end, that statue (by sculptor J.V. Myslbek) was placed a bit further down the square a few decades later, becoming the famous centerpiece of Wenceslas Square. Either way, by 1891 Prague had gained a monumental landmark that was as much a national <strong data-start=\"4819\" data-end=\"4831\">monument<\/strong> as it was a museum.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"\" data-start=\"4853\" data-end=\"4921\">Witness to History: War, Occupation, and Protest (20th Century)<\/h2>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"4923\" data-end=\"5566\">No sooner had the museum established itself when the 20th century tested its endurance. Through World War I (1914\u20131918), the museum continued its scholarly mission under the waning Austro-Hungarian Empire. In October 1918, as that empire collapsed, crowds filled Wenceslas Square to celebrate the birth of independent Czechoslovakia \u2013 with the National Museum as a majestic backdrop. The museum\u2019s Pantheon gained new meaning as a pantheon of a now-sovereign nation\u2019s heroes. In 1919, the museum was officially renamed the <strong data-start=\"5445\" data-end=\"5464\">National Museum<\/strong> of Czechoslovakia, and its collections grew to include more historical artifacts of the Czech lands.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"5568\" data-end=\"6710\">World War II brought darker days. Prague fell under Nazi occupation in 1939, and the museum\u2019s staff scrambled to protect the collections from potential bombing or plunder. Many artifacts were secretly moved to safe storage. This proved fortunate, because in 1945 the museum building <strong data-start=\"5851\" data-end=\"5896\">suffered a direct hit from an aerial bomb<\/strong> during the final days of the war. The explosion blasted a hole in the roof and damaged the interior, but thanks to earlier precautions, the treasured collections had been moved and escaped destruction<span class=\"ms-1 inline-flex max-w-full items-center relative top-[-0.094rem] animate-[show_150ms_ease-in]\"><a class=\"flex h-4.5 overflow-hidden rounded-xl px-2 text-[0.5625em] font-medium text-token-text-secondary! bg-[#F4F4F4]! dark:bg-[#303030]! transition-colors duration-150 ease-in-out\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/National_Museum_(Prague)#:~:text=collections%20would%20remain%20intact%2C%20was,put%20toward%20collecting%20new%20materials\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"relative start-0 bottom-0 flex h-full w-full items-center\"><span class=\"flex h-4 w-full items-center justify-between overflow-hidden\"><span class=\"max-w-full grow truncate overflow-hidden text-center\">en.wikipedia.org<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span>. After the war, an \u201cintensive repair\u201d got underway, and by 1947 the museum was able to reopen to the public. The exterior scars were patched up, and in 1960 floodlights were added to illuminate the grand fa\u00e7ade at night<span class=\"ms-1 inline-flex max-w-full items-center relative top-[-0.094rem] animate-[show_150ms_ease-in]\"><a class=\"flex h-4.5 overflow-hidden rounded-xl px-2 text-[0.5625em] font-medium text-token-text-secondary! bg-[#F4F4F4]! dark:bg-[#303030]! transition-colors duration-150 ease-in-out\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/National_Museum_(Prague)#:~:text=The%20building%20was%20damaged%20during,repair%20of%20the%20facade%20that\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"relative start-0 bottom-0 flex h-full w-full items-center\"><span class=\"flex h-4 w-full items-center justify-between overflow-hidden\"><span class=\"max-w-full grow truncate overflow-hidden text-center\">en.wikipedia.org<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span> \u2013 a beacon of culture shining over a city rebuilding from war. In 1962, the Historical Building was declared a <strong data-start=\"6585\" data-end=\"6615\">national cultural monument<\/strong>, recognizing its significance to the nation\u2019s heritage<span class=\"ms-1 inline-flex max-w-full items-center relative top-[-0.094rem] animate-[show_150ms_ease-in]\"><a class=\"flex h-4.5 overflow-hidden rounded-xl px-2 text-[0.5625em] font-medium text-token-text-secondary! bg-[#F4F4F4]! dark:bg-[#303030]! transition-colors duration-150 ease-in-out\" href=\"https:\/\/prague.eu\/en\/objevujte\/national-museum-museum-complex-of-the-national-museum\/#:~:text=The%20Historical%20Building%20of%20the,with%20a%20unique%20multimedia%20exhibition\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"relative start-0 bottom-0 flex h-full w-full items-center\"><span class=\"flex h-4 w-full items-center justify-between overflow-hidden\"><span class=\"max-w-full grow truncate overflow-hidden text-center\">prague.eu<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"6712\" data-end=\"8626\">However, the worst was yet to come. On the night of <strong data-start=\"6764\" data-end=\"6782\">21 August 1968<\/strong>, as Warsaw Pact tanks rolled into Czechoslovakia to crush the Prague Spring reforms, the National Museum found itself literally caught in the crossfire. Soviet troops, possibly mistaking the impressive dome for a government building or simply acting in panic, <strong data-start=\"7043\" data-end=\"7099\">opened fire with machine guns on the museum\u2019s fa\u00e7ade<\/strong>. It was a senseless attack that riddled the beautiful sandstone exterior with bullet holes and shattered many of the stone sculptures and reliefs adorning the building. The majestic front columns were left pockmarked, and even interior offices were struck by bullets (one museum director survived a bullet flying through his office window by ducking just in time, according to witnesses). In front of the museum, Prague citizens bravely tried to protest the occupation; one woman was shot and tended to on the museum steps as gunfire raged. The <strong data-start=\"7762\" data-end=\"7782\">damage from 1968<\/strong> was extensive \u2013 murals and exhibits inside were hit, and a significant repair was required. Over the next two years, restorers patched the bullet holes with lighter-colored sandstone, replaced destroyed statues, and cleaned the black soot left by tank fires. Yet tellingly, they did not hide all the damage: for decades, you could still see the faint lighter spots on the museum\u2019s facade where the bullet holes had been filled, a subtle memorial to the trauma of 1968 that many Czechs noticed with a heavy heart. (Today a plaque by the entrance commemorates the 1968 occupation and the museum\u2019s scars.) The <strong data-start=\"8507\" data-end=\"8564\">National Museum had literally been scarred by history<\/strong>, solidifying its role as a silent witness to Czech struggles.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"8628\" data-end=\"9906\">The museum endured through the 1970s and 80s under communist rule, even as the building faced a new kind of threat: urban development. In the 1970s, Prague\u2019s authorities built a massive arterial road \u2013 locally called the <strong data-start=\"8849\" data-end=\"8863\">magistr\u00e1la<\/strong> \u2013 around two sides of the museum, effectively cutting it off from the rest of Wenceslas Square. This elevated highway (along with tunnels for the new metro lines) ran so close to the museum that the building suffered constant vibrations, heavy traffic noise, and layers of grimy soot from car exhaust. Imagine priceless artifacts inside trembling each time a truck rumbled past! The graceful museum, intended as a focal point of the square, was now marooned on a noisy island amid speeding cars. This 20th-century planning blunder is often cited as having <strong data-start=\"9498\" data-end=\"9579\">\u201cwounded\u201d the museum more than any war<span class=\"ms-1 inline-flex max-w-full items-center relative top-[-0.094rem] animate-[show_150ms_ease-in]\"><a class=\"flex h-4.5 overflow-hidden rounded-xl px-2 text-[0.5625em] font-medium text-token-text-secondary! bg-[#F4F4F4]! dark:bg-[#303030]! transition-colors duration-150 ease-in-out\" href=\"https:\/\/www.abicko.cz\/clanek\/precti-si-zabava-historie\/24238\/narodni-muzeum-historie-slavna-i-tragicka.html#:~:text=Nejv%C4%9Bt%C5%A1%C3%AD%20ranou%20pro%20N%C3%A1rodn%C3%AD%20muzeum,m%C3%ADstem%20odpo%C4%8Dinku%2C%20%C3%BA%C5%BEasu%20a%20pozn%C3%A1n%C3%AD\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"relative start-0 bottom-0 flex h-full w-full items-center\"><span class=\"flex h-4 w-full items-center justify-between overflow-hidden\"><span class=\"max-w-full grow truncate overflow-hidden text-center\">abicko.cz<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/strong>, and it remained a point of contention for decades. Still, the National Museum continued operating, welcoming visitors, and maintaining its collections despite these challenges. It even expanded, adding new departments (like a Czech Music Museum in 1976) and absorbing other collections.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"9908\" data-end=\"10818\">In <strong data-start=\"9911\" data-end=\"9928\">November 1989<\/strong>, as the Velvet Revolution unfolded, hundreds of thousands of Czech citizens gathered in Wenceslas Square demanding freedom and democracy \u2013 once again under the benevolent gaze of the National Museum\u2019s fa\u00e7ade. Historical photographs show the museum illuminated at night, overlooking a sea of protesters with flags and banners. The building had seen imperial rule, Nazi occupation, and Soviet domination, and now it saw the Czechs peacefully reclaim their democracy. It\u2019s no wonder that by the time communism fell, the National Museum building had cemented its status as a <strong data-start=\"10500\" data-end=\"10528\">powerful national symbol<\/strong> \u2013 a place where Czechs instinctively gathered in moments of celebration and crisis. As one account noted, due to its looming presence over Prague\u2019s busiest boulevard, the museum often serves as a focal point for <strong data-start=\"10741\" data-end=\"10778\">public rallies and demonstrations<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"\" data-start=\"10820\" data-end=\"10864\">Revival and Renewal in the 21st Century<\/h2>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"10866\" data-end=\"11542\">By the 2000s, after a century of heavy use and periodic damage, the grand old museum was showing its age. The stone facade was darkened by pollution, the interior systems were outdated, and those patched bullet holes and 1970s traffic vibrations had taken a structural toll. The building had never undergone a full renovation since its opening in 1891<span class=\"ms-1 inline-flex max-w-full items-center relative top-[-0.094rem] animate-[show_150ms_ease-in]\"><a class=\"flex h-4.5 overflow-hidden rounded-xl px-2 text-[0.5625em] font-medium text-token-text-secondary! bg-[#F4F4F4]! dark:bg-[#303030]! transition-colors duration-150 ease-in-out\" href=\"https:\/\/prague.eu\/en\/objevujte\/national-museum-museum-complex-of-the-national-museum\/#:~:text=The%20Neo,foundation%20of%20the%20Czechoslovak%20Republic\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"relative start-0 bottom-0 flex h-full w-full items-center\"><span class=\"flex h-4 w-full items-center justify-between overflow-hidden\"><span class=\"max-w-full grow truncate overflow-hidden text-center\">prague.eu<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span>, and it became clear that a comprehensive restoration was needed to preserve it for future generations. In July 2011, the Historical Building closed its doors for what would become the largest and most ambitious renovation project in its history.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"10866\" data-end=\"11542\">\n<img alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-9730\" src=\"https:\/\/praguehints.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/101st-Anniversary-of-the-Turkish-Republic-Celebrated-at-Pragues-National-Museum-4-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" srcset=\"https:\/\/praguehints.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/101st-Anniversary-of-the-Turkish-Republic-Celebrated-at-Pragues-National-Museum-4-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/praguehints.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/101st-Anniversary-of-the-Turkish-Republic-Celebrated-at-Pragues-National-Museum-4-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/praguehints.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/101st-Anniversary-of-the-Turkish-Republic-Celebrated-at-Pragues-National-Museum-4-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/praguehints.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/101st-Anniversary-of-the-Turkish-Republic-Celebrated-at-Pragues-National-Museum-4-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/praguehints.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/101st-Anniversary-of-the-Turkish-Republic-Celebrated-at-Pragues-National-Museum-4-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/praguehints.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/101st-Anniversary-of-the-Turkish-Republic-Celebrated-at-Pragues-National-Museum-4-18x12.jpg 18w, https:\/\/praguehints.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/101st-Anniversary-of-the-Turkish-Republic-Celebrated-at-Pragues-National-Museum-4-630x420.jpg 630w, https:\/\/praguehints.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/101st-Anniversary-of-the-Turkish-Republic-Celebrated-at-Pragues-National-Museum-4-640x427.jpg 640w, https:\/\/praguehints.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/101st-Anniversary-of-the-Turkish-Republic-Celebrated-at-Pragues-National-Museum-4-681x454.jpg 681w, https:\/\/praguehints.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/101st-Anniversary-of-the-Turkish-Republic-Celebrated-at-Pragues-National-Museum-4.jpg 1800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Prague national museum photos around museum, commercial free<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_989\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-989\" style=\"width: 640px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-989\" src=\"https:\/\/praguehints.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/prague-national-museum-photos4-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" srcset=\"https:\/\/praguehints.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/prague-national-museum-photos4-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/praguehints.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/prague-national-museum-photos4-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/praguehints.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/prague-national-museum-photos4-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/praguehints.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/prague-national-museum-photos4-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/praguehints.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/prague-national-museum-photos4-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/praguehints.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/prague-national-museum-photos4-630x420.jpg 630w, https:\/\/praguehints.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/prague-national-museum-photos4-640x427.jpg 640w, https:\/\/praguehints.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/prague-national-museum-photos4-681x454.jpg 681w, https:\/\/praguehints.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/prague-national-museum-photos4.jpg 1725w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-989\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Prague national museum photos around museum, commercial free<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_987\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-987\" style=\"width: 640px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-987\" src=\"https:\/\/praguehints.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/prague-national-museum-photos2-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" srcset=\"https:\/\/praguehints.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/prague-national-museum-photos2-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/praguehints.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/prague-national-museum-photos2-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/praguehints.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/prague-national-museum-photos2-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/praguehints.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/prague-national-museum-photos2-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/praguehints.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/prague-national-museum-photos2-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/praguehints.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/prague-national-museum-photos2-630x420.jpg 630w, https:\/\/praguehints.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/prague-national-museum-photos2-640x427.jpg 640w, https:\/\/praguehints.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/prague-national-museum-photos2-681x454.jpg 681w, https:\/\/praguehints.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/prague-national-museum-photos2.jpg 1725w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-987\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Prague national museum photos around museum, commercial free<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_986\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-986\" style=\"width: 640px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-986\" src=\"https:\/\/praguehints.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/prague-national-museum-photos1-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" srcset=\"https:\/\/praguehints.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/prague-national-museum-photos1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/praguehints.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/prague-national-museum-photos1-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/praguehints.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/prague-national-museum-photos1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/praguehints.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/prague-national-museum-photos1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/praguehints.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/prague-national-museum-photos1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/praguehints.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/prague-national-museum-photos1-630x420.jpg 630w, https:\/\/praguehints.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/prague-national-museum-photos1-640x427.jpg 640w, https:\/\/praguehints.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/prague-national-museum-photos1-681x454.jpg 681w, https:\/\/praguehints.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/prague-national-museum-photos1.jpg 1725w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-986\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Prague national museum photos around museum, commercial free<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"11544\" data-end=\"13349\">What followed was a massive effort akin to moving a small city. Over <strong data-start=\"11613\" data-end=\"11641\">7 million museum objects<\/strong> \u2013 from dinosaur bones to medieval manuscripts \u2013 had to be meticulously packed up and relocated to off-site storage. It was described as the biggest move of museum collections in Czech history! Once emptied, the building underwent a top-to-bottom transformation. Restorers cleaned and repaired the stone exterior, deliberately <strong data-start=\"12046\" data-end=\"12085\">preserving some of the battle scars<\/strong> from 1945 and 1968 as part of the museum\u2019s story. The roof and dome were renovated and insulated, modern climate control and security systems were installed (essential for preserving artifacts), and two interior courtyards were glass-roofed to create new exhibition atriums. One exciting addition was the installation of elevators and visitor access to the <strong data-start=\"12482\" data-end=\"12498\">central dome<\/strong>, something visitors had never experienced before. In fact, in <strong data-start=\"12561\" data-end=\"12578\">February 2019<\/strong> the museum\u2019s dome was opened to the public for the first time ever, offering a 360\u00b0 panoramic view over Prague\u2019s skyline from just below the cupola. (It\u2019s quickly become a favorite feature for visitors looking for that perfect Prague photo-op.) Another modern upgrade was an <strong data-start=\"12893\" data-end=\"12915\">underground tunnel<\/strong> linking the Historical Building with the neighboring New Building of the National Museum (the former Federal Assembly building). Opened in late 2019, this passageway not only provides convenient access between old and new, but it houses a unique multimedia exhibition called <strong data-start=\"13191\" data-end=\"13213\">Moments of History<\/strong>, immersing visitors in the dramatic events that Wenceslas Square has seen over the past century<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"13351\" data-end=\"14882\">After seven years of closure, the National Museum\u2019s historical home was ready to shine again. In a fitting tribute to its legacy, the museum held a <strong data-start=\"13499\" data-end=\"13540\">symbolic reopening on 28 October 2018<\/strong> \u2013 exactly 100 years since the founding of Czechoslovakia in 1918. That day, the restored museum was unveiled to the public in all its former glory, with its sandstone fa\u00e7ade gleaming clean and its interiors refurbished to their 1891 splendor. Crowds lined up the grand staircase once more, admiring the refreshed gilding, the vivid ceiling murals, and the carefully restored Pantheon statues. The museum\u2019s director described the renovation as \u201c<strong data-start=\"14024\" data-end=\"14097\">a museum for the 21st century inside a monument from the 19th century<\/strong>,\u201d and that balance is evident as you walk through. Interactive displays and modern exhibits now inhabit halls that still exude Habsburg-era elegance. Permanent exhibitions have been rolling out since 2019, including new displays on natural history (featuring that famous fin whale skeleton suspended from the ceiling!), human evolution, and Czech history. The building itself is now fully accessible, with elevators and ramps sensitively integrated. Despite all the updates, the spirit of Josef Schulz\u2019s design remains intact \u2013 you can still climb the original grand staircase and stand beneath the dome, imagining the generations of Czech patriots, scholars, and visitors who have stood in the same spot.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"14884\" data-end=\"15555\">Today, the National Museum\u2019s Historical Building is <strong data-start=\"14936\" data-end=\"14985\">both a museum and an exhibit in its own right<\/strong>. It stands proudly at the head of Wenceslas Square as an architectural masterpiece and a living symbol of the Czech nation\u2019s trials and triumphs. After nightfall, when its facade is artfully lit and the traffic noise subsides a bit, the museum almost glows \u2013 a reminder that this landmark has endured through the darkest of times and now looks toward the future. For locals and tourists alike, the building is a must-see attraction in Prague: come for the fascinating exhibits, stay for the stunning architecture and the palpable sense of history embedded in its walls.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"15557\" data-end=\"15826\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"15557\" data-end=\"15826\"><em data-start=\"15597\" data-end=\"15824\">Detail of the National Museum\u2019s central dome and rooftop sculptures, restored to their former glory. The building\u2019s Neo-Renaissance architecture features allegorical figures symbolizing areas of knowledge and the Czech lands.<\/em><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"\" data-start=\"15828\" data-end=\"15893\">Fun Facts and Curiosities about the National Museum Building<\/h2>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"15897\" data-end=\"16658\"><strong data-start=\"15897\" data-end=\"15919\">A Whale of a Tale:<\/strong> One of the museum\u2019s most famous residents is a gigantic <strong data-start=\"15976\" data-end=\"15998\">fin whale skeleton<\/strong> that\u2019s been on display since 1892. The 22-meter skeleton came from a whale that washed up in Norway. Lacking funds, the museum\u2019s zoologist <strong data-start=\"16138\" data-end=\"16154\">Anton\u00edn Fri\u010d<\/strong> held a public fundraiser in 1887 to buy it for 2,500 gold guldens \u2013 and Prague\u2019s citizens eagerly chipped in<span class=\"ms-1 inline-flex max-w-full items-center relative top-[-0.094rem] animate-[show_150ms_ease-in]\"><a class=\"flex h-4.5 overflow-hidden rounded-xl px-2 text-[0.5625em] font-medium text-token-text-secondary! bg-[#F4F4F4]! dark:bg-[#303030]! transition-colors duration-150 ease-in-out\" href=\"https:\/\/muzeum3000.nm.cz\/national-museum-news\/top-items-%E2%80%93-skeleton-of-a-whale#:~:text=However%2C%20the%20museum%20did%20not,skeleton%20was%20transported%20to%20Prague\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"relative start-0 bottom-0 flex h-full w-full items-center\"><span class=\"flex h-4 w-full items-center justify-between overflow-hidden\"><span class=\"max-w-full grow truncate overflow-hidden text-center\">muzeum3000.nm.cz<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span>. The whale bones were transported by train to Prague, first exhibited in a smaller museum, and finally installed in the new National Museum building in 1892<span class=\"ms-1 inline-flex max-w-full items-center relative top-[-0.094rem] animate-[show_150ms_ease-in]\"><a class=\"flex h-4.5 overflow-hidden rounded-xl px-2 text-[0.5625em] font-medium text-token-text-secondary! bg-[#F4F4F4]! dark:bg-[#303030]! transition-colors duration-150 ease-in-out\" href=\"https:\/\/muzeum3000.nm.cz\/national-museum-news\/top-items-%E2%80%93-skeleton-of-a-whale#:~:text=fast%2C%20and%20so%20in%20mid,skeleton%20was%20transported%20to%20Prague\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"relative start-0 bottom-0 flex h-full w-full items-center\"><span class=\"flex h-4 w-full items-center justify-between overflow-hidden\"><span class=\"max-w-full grow truncate overflow-hidden text-center\">muzeum3000.nm.cz<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span>. Over 130 years later, this whale still hangs impressively in the hall of fossils, and has become a beloved symbol of the museum\u2019s natural history collections.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"16662\" data-end=\"17431\"><strong data-start=\"16662\" data-end=\"16682\">Scarred by 1968:<\/strong> The facade of the museum still bears <strong data-start=\"16720\" data-end=\"16766\">battle scars from the 1968 Soviet invasion<\/strong>. During the Warsaw Pact occupation, Soviet soldiers sprayed the building with gunfire, riddling its columns and sculptures with bullet holes<span class=\"ms-1 inline-flex max-w-full items-center relative top-[-0.094rem] animate-[show_150ms_ease-in]\"><a class=\"flex h-4.5 overflow-hidden rounded-xl px-2 text-[0.5625em] font-medium text-token-text-secondary! bg-[#F4F4F4]! dark:bg-[#303030]! transition-colors duration-150 ease-in-out\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/National_Museum_(Prague)#:~:text=During%20the%201968%20Warsaw%20Pact,to%20repair%20the%20bullet%20holes\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"relative start-0 bottom-0 flex h-full w-full items-center\"><span class=\"flex h-4 w-full items-center justify-between overflow-hidden\"><span class=\"max-w-full grow truncate overflow-hidden text-center\">en.wikipedia.org<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span>. After repairs in the 1970s, you could see patches of lighter stone on the facade \u2013 these were the filled bullet holes, intentionally left slightly visible as a reminder of the tragedy<span class=\"ms-1 inline-flex max-w-full items-center relative top-[-0.094rem] animate-[show_150ms_ease-in]\"><a class=\"flex h-4.5 overflow-hidden rounded-xl px-2 text-[0.5625em] font-medium text-token-text-secondary! bg-[#F4F4F4]! dark:bg-[#303030]! transition-colors duration-150 ease-in-out\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/National_Museum_(Prague)#:~:text=shots%20made%20numerous%20holes%20in,to%20repair%20the%20bullet%20holes\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"relative start-0 bottom-0 flex h-full w-full items-center\"><span class=\"flex h-4 w-full items-center justify-between overflow-hidden\"><span class=\"max-w-full grow truncate overflow-hidden text-center\">en.wikipedia.org<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span>. Today, most casual observers won\u2019t notice them (the recent restoration blended the colors better), but a commemorative plaque by the entrance ensures the events of August 1968 are not forgotten. Talk about a museum where even the building has a story to tell!<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"17435\" data-end=\"18234\"><strong data-start=\"17435\" data-end=\"17461\">The Statue That Moved:<\/strong> Prague\u2019s iconic <strong data-start=\"17478\" data-end=\"17502\">St. Wenceslas statue<\/strong> \u2013 the equestrian monument down the square \u2013 was originally intended to sit right in front of the museum. Early plans envisioned Saint Wenceslas guarding the new museum from a spot in its courtyard<span class=\"ms-1 inline-flex max-w-full items-center relative top-[-0.094rem] animate-[show_150ms_ease-in]\"><a class=\"flex h-4.5 overflow-hidden rounded-xl px-2 text-[0.5625em] font-medium text-token-text-secondary! bg-[#F4F4F4]! dark:bg-[#303030]! transition-colors duration-150 ease-in-out\" href=\"https:\/\/www.abicko.cz\/clanek\/precti-si-zabava-historie\/24238\/narodni-muzeum-historie-slavna-i-tragicka.html#:~:text=ale%20za%C4%8Dala%20zpo%C5%BE%C4%8Fovat,Hl%C3%A1vky%20p%C5%99esunuta%20na%20V%C3%A1clavsk%C3%A9%20n%C3%A1m%C4%9Bst%C3%AD\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"relative start-0 bottom-0 flex h-full w-full items-center\"><span class=\"flex h-4 w-full items-center justify-between overflow-hidden\"><span class=\"max-w-full grow truncate overflow-hidden text-center\">abicko.cz<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span>. However, another architect (Josef Hl\u00e1vka) argued it would be better placed in the open square, where it now stands as a focal point of Wenceslas Square<span class=\"ms-1 inline-flex max-w-full items-center relative top-[-0.094rem] animate-[show_150ms_ease-in]\"><a class=\"flex h-4.5 overflow-hidden rounded-xl px-2 text-[0.5625em] font-medium text-token-text-secondary! bg-[#F4F4F4]! dark:bg-[#303030]! transition-colors duration-150 ease-in-out\" href=\"https:\/\/www.abicko.cz\/clanek\/precti-si-zabava-historie\/24238\/narodni-muzeum-historie-slavna-i-tragicka.html#:~:text=ale%20za%C4%8Dala%20zpo%C5%BE%C4%8Fovat,Hl%C3%A1vky%20p%C5%99esunuta%20na%20V%C3%A1clavsk%C3%A9%20n%C3%A1m%C4%9Bst%C3%AD\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"relative start-0 bottom-0 flex h-full w-full items-center\"><span class=\"flex h-4 w-full items-center justify-between overflow-hidden\"><span class=\"max-w-full grow truncate overflow-hidden text-center\">abicko.cz<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span>. So if you walk out of the museum and down toward the statue, you\u2019re tracing the path of a plan altered over a century ago. (Fun irony: there\u2019s now a modern art piece of Saint Wenceslas riding an upside-down horse hanging in a nearby arcade \u2013 the Czechs have a great sense of humor about their history!)<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"18238\" data-end=\"19040\"><strong data-start=\"18238\" data-end=\"18259\">Hollywood Cameos:<\/strong> The museum\u2019s lavish interior has attracted filmmakers from around the world. If parts of it look oddly familiar, you may have seen them on the big screen. The <strong data-start=\"18419\" data-end=\"18445\">grand marble staircase<\/strong> and foyer starred as a lavish hotel in Venice in the James Bond film <em data-start=\"18515\" data-end=\"18530\">Casino Royale<\/em> (2006) \u2013 in the movie, James Bond races down the museum\u2019s staircase in pursuit of the villain, making it look like an Italian palazzo<span class=\"ms-1 inline-flex max-w-full items-center relative top-[-0.094rem] animate-[show_150ms_ease-in]\"><a class=\"flex h-4.5 overflow-hidden rounded-xl px-2 text-[0.5625em] font-medium text-token-text-secondary! bg-[#F4F4F4]! dark:bg-[#303030]! transition-colors duration-150 ease-in-out\" href=\"https:\/\/prague-now.com\/history\/prague-as-film-set\/#:~:text=The%20National%20Museum%20on%20Wenceslas,it%20is%20castle%20in%20Germany\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"relative start-0 bottom-0 flex h-full w-full items-center\"><span class=\"flex h-4 w-full items-center justify-between overflow-hidden\"><span class=\"max-w-full grow truncate overflow-hidden text-center\">prague-now.com<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span>. The museum also featured in the film <em data-start=\"18742\" data-end=\"18757\">The Red Baron<\/em> (2008) as a stand-in for a European castle<span class=\"ms-1 inline-flex max-w-full items-center relative top-[-0.094rem] animate-[show_150ms_ease-in]\"><a class=\"flex h-4.5 overflow-hidden rounded-xl px-2 text-[0.5625em] font-medium text-token-text-secondary! bg-[#F4F4F4]! dark:bg-[#303030]! transition-colors duration-150 ease-in-out\" href=\"https:\/\/prague-now.com\/history\/prague-as-film-set\/#:~:text=The%20National%20Museum%20on%20Wenceslas,it%20is%20castle%20in%20Germany\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"relative start-0 bottom-0 flex h-full w-full items-center\"><span class=\"flex h-4 w-full items-center justify-between overflow-hidden\"><span class=\"max-w-full grow truncate overflow-hidden text-center\">prague-now.com<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span>, and its exterior appears in countless historical documentaries about Prague. So as you wander those halls, you\u2019re walking through a favorite Hollywood filming location \u2013 no wonder it feels cinematic!<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"19044\" data-end=\"19676\"><strong data-start=\"19044\" data-end=\"19065\">Dome with a View:<\/strong> For over a century, visitors could only gaze <em data-start=\"19111\" data-end=\"19115\">up<\/em> at the museum\u2019s dome \u2013 but now you can go <em data-start=\"19158\" data-end=\"19166\">inside<\/em> it. After the recent renovation, the museum opened a <strong data-start=\"19220\" data-end=\"19264\">skywalk and viewing platform in the dome<\/strong> for the first time in its history<span class=\"ms-1 inline-flex max-w-full items-center relative top-[-0.094rem] animate-[show_150ms_ease-in]\"><a class=\"flex h-4.5 overflow-hidden rounded-xl px-2 text-[0.5625em] font-medium text-token-text-secondary! bg-[#F4F4F4]! dark:bg-[#303030]! transition-colors duration-150 ease-in-out\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/National_Museum_(Prague)#:~:text=October%202018.,New%20Museum%20Building%20became%20accessible\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"relative start-0 bottom-0 flex h-full w-full items-center\"><span class=\"flex h-4 w-full items-center justify-between overflow-hidden\"><span class=\"max-w-full grow truncate overflow-hidden text-center\">en.wikipedia.org<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span>. It quickly became a highlight for tourists. From the dome, you can look out over Prague\u2019s Old Town, across to Prague Castle, and down the length of Wenceslas Square. There\u2019s something poetic about enjoying a sweeping view of modern Prague from a dome that has watched over the city since the 1890s. Don\u2019t forget your camera for this one!<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"\" data-start=\"19678\" data-end=\"19713\">Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)<\/h2>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"19715\" data-end=\"20365\"><strong data-start=\"19715\" data-end=\"19784\">Q: Where is the National Museum in Prague and how do I get there?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"19715\" data-end=\"20365\"><br data-start=\"19784\" data-end=\"19787\" \/><strong data-start=\"19787\" data-end=\"19793\">A:<\/strong> The National Museum\u2019s main building is located at the <strong data-start=\"19848\" data-end=\"19875\">top of Wenceslas Square<\/strong> in New Town, Prague 1 (the exact address is V\u00e1clavsk\u00e9 n\u00e1m\u011bst\u00ed 68). You absolutely can\u2019t miss its massive dome and grand facade overlooking the square. It\u2019s very easy to reach by public transport \u2013 the <strong data-start=\"20077\" data-end=\"20087\">Muzeum<\/strong> metro station (Lines A and C) is directly in front of the museum, and several trams and buses stop nearby as well. If you\u2019re coming from Old Town, it\u2019s about a 15-minute walk up Wenceslas Square to the museum. Just head toward the big domed building at the far end \u2013 that\u2019s it!<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"20367\" data-end=\"21308\"><strong data-start=\"20367\" data-end=\"20433\">Q: What are the opening hours and do I need a ticket to visit?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"20367\" data-end=\"21308\"><br data-start=\"20433\" data-end=\"20436\" \/><strong data-start=\"20436\" data-end=\"20442\">A:<\/strong> The Historical Building of the National Museum is open to visitors <strong data-start=\"20510\" data-end=\"20544\">daily from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM<\/strong> (10:00\u201318:00), every day of the week<span class=\"ms-1 inline-flex max-w-full items-center relative top-[-0.094rem] animate-[show_150ms_ease-in]\"><a class=\"flex h-4.5 overflow-hidden rounded-xl px-2 text-[0.5625em] font-medium text-token-text-secondary! bg-[#F4F4F4]! dark:bg-[#303030]! transition-colors duration-150 ease-in-out\" href=\"https:\/\/prague.eu\/en\/objevujte\/national-museum-museum-complex-of-the-national-museum\/#:~:text=opening%20hours\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"relative start-0 bottom-0 flex h-full w-full items-center\"><span class=\"flex h-4 w-full items-center justify-between overflow-hidden\"><span class=\"max-w-full grow truncate overflow-hidden text-center\">prague.eu<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span>. Yes, you will need an admission ticket to go inside. As of now, a standard adult ticket costs around 300 CZK (with discounts for students, seniors, and kids)<span class=\"ms-1 inline-flex max-w-full items-center relative top-[-0.094rem] animate-[show_150ms_ease-in]\"><a class=\"flex h-4.5 overflow-hidden rounded-xl px-2 text-[0.5625em] font-medium text-token-text-secondary! bg-[#F4F4F4]! dark:bg-[#303030]! transition-colors duration-150 ease-in-out\" href=\"https:\/\/prague.eu\/en\/objevujte\/national-museum-museum-complex-of-the-national-museum\/#:~:text=admission\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"relative start-0 bottom-0 flex h-full w-full items-center\"><span class=\"flex h-4 w-full items-center justify-between overflow-hidden\"><span class=\"max-w-full grow truncate overflow-hidden text-center\">prague.eu<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><span class=\"ms-1 inline-flex max-w-full items-center relative top-[-0.094rem] animate-[show_150ms_ease-in]\"><a class=\"flex h-4.5 overflow-hidden rounded-xl px-2 text-[0.5625em] font-medium text-token-text-secondary! bg-[#F4F4F4]! dark:bg-[#303030]! transition-colors duration-150 ease-in-out\" href=\"https:\/\/www.introducingprague.com\/national-museum#:~:text=Schedule\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"relative start-0 bottom-0 flex h-full w-full items-center\"><span class=\"flex h-4 w-full items-center justify-between overflow-hidden\"><span class=\"max-w-full grow truncate overflow-hidden text-center\">introducingprague.com<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span>. Tickets can be bought on-site at the ticket desk or online via the museum\u2019s official website. If you plan on visiting multiple Prague museums, check for combination tickets or Prague City Pass deals. Keep in mind that on certain special days (like national holidays or the museum\u2019s anniversary) the museum sometimes offers <strong data-start=\"21182\" data-end=\"21196\">free entry<\/strong> or extended hours \u2013 it\u2019s worth checking the museum\u2019s website or Prague tourist info for any special promotions.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"21310\" data-end=\"22965\"><strong data-start=\"21310\" data-end=\"21397\">Q: What can I see inside the National Museum\u2019s main building? Is it worth going in?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"21310\" data-end=\"22965\"><br data-start=\"21397\" data-end=\"21400\" \/><strong data-start=\"21400\" data-end=\"21406\">A:<\/strong> Definitely <strong data-start=\"21418\" data-end=\"21441\">yes \u2013 it\u2019s worth it<\/strong>! The inside of the museum is as impressive as the outside. As you enter, you\u2019ll walk into an opulent <strong data-start=\"21543\" data-end=\"21612\">entrance hall with a sweeping double staircase and marble columns<\/strong> \u2013 it feels like a palace. The interior itself is an exhibit, with gorgeous painted ceilings and the Pantheon hall decorated with statues of Czech historical figures. In terms of museum exhibits, the National Museum covers a <strong data-start=\"21837\" data-end=\"21861\">wide range of topics<\/strong>. You can explore exhibitions on <strong data-start=\"21894\" data-end=\"21911\">Czech history<\/strong> (from medieval times through World War I), see archaeological finds and artifacts, and delve into <strong data-start=\"22010\" data-end=\"22029\">natural history<\/strong> displays. A few highlights not to miss: the <strong data-start=\"22074\" data-end=\"22101\">huge fin whale skeleton<\/strong> hanging in the geology and paleontology section (kids love this!), the <strong data-start=\"22173\" data-end=\"22202\">prehistoric animal models<\/strong> and fossils in the evolution exhibit, the beautifully presented <strong data-start=\"22267\" data-end=\"22293\">minerals and gemstones<\/strong> hall, and the history exhibition which includes everything from ancient Celtic torcs to 19th-century Czech national revival items. There are also often <strong data-start=\"22446\" data-end=\"22471\">temporary exhibitions<\/strong> on interesting themes \u2013 for example, recent ones have covered topics like Asian art, Czech pop music history, etc. Finally, with your ticket you can access the <strong data-start=\"22632\" data-end=\"22650\">dome viewpoint<\/strong> at the top (don\u2019t skip this \u2013 the view of Prague is fantastic). Even if you\u2019re not typically a \u201cmuseum person,\u201d visitors say the combination of stunning architecture and the breadth of exhibits inside make this a must-see. Plan for at least 1.5 to 2 hours to enjoy it, more if you love to read every exhibit panel.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"22967\" data-end=\"23839\"><strong data-start=\"22967\" data-end=\"23056\">Q: Are the exhibits labeled in English or are tours available for non-Czech speakers?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"22967\" data-end=\"23839\"><br data-start=\"23056\" data-end=\"23059\" \/><strong data-start=\"23059\" data-end=\"23065\">A:<\/strong> Yes, the National Museum is very tourist-friendly. All exhibit information and labels are provided in <strong data-start=\"23168\" data-end=\"23189\">Czech and English<\/strong>, and sometimes additional languages as well (for major exhibitions). Upon entering, you can also pick up an <strong data-start=\"23298\" data-end=\"23332\">English floor plan or brochure<\/strong>. If you prefer a more structured visit, the museum offers audio guides and occasionally guided tours in English \u2013 ask at the information desk or check their website for tour times. The staff at the museum ticket counters and information desks generally speak English and can answer questions about the displays. So, don\u2019t worry if you don\u2019t speak Czech \u2013 you\u2019ll be able to understand and appreciate the exhibits. The museum has done a great job making sure international visitors can enjoy the experience.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"23841\" data-end=\"23943\"><strong data-start=\"23841\" data-end=\"23890\">Q: Any tips for visiting the National Museum?<\/strong><br data-start=\"23890\" data-end=\"23893\" \/><strong data-start=\"23893\" data-end=\"23899\">A:<\/strong> Here are a few handy tips for your visit:<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"23946\" data-end=\"24269\"><strong data-start=\"23946\" data-end=\"23957\">Timing:<\/strong> If you can, go early in the day or on a weekday to avoid the heaviest crowds. Mornings tend to be quieter, and you\u2019ll have a better chance to linger in the Pantheon or take unobstructed photos of the hall. Late afternoon can also be nice (just make sure you give yourself enough time before the 6 PM closing).<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"24272\" data-end=\"24537\"><strong data-start=\"24272\" data-end=\"24286\">Cloakroom:<\/strong> There is a free cloakroom and lockers near the entrance where you can store coats, backpacks, or larger bags. It\u2019s convenient to drop off your stuff so you\u2019re not carrying it through the exhibits (large bags aren\u2019t allowed in exhibit rooms anyway).<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"24540\" data-end=\"24752\"><strong data-start=\"24540\" data-end=\"24558\">Accessibility:<\/strong> The building is <strong data-start=\"24575\" data-end=\"24600\">wheelchair accessible<\/strong> \u2013 there are elevators serving all main floors. If you have mobility issues, you can use a side entrance with a ramp. The staff will assist if needed.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"24755\" data-end=\"25084\"><strong data-start=\"24755\" data-end=\"24771\">Photography:<\/strong> You are allowed to take photos inside (for personal use) \u2013 and you\u2019ll definitely want to, given the stunning interiors! Just remember to <strong data-start=\"24909\" data-end=\"24932\">turn off your flash<\/strong> and avoid taking pictures where signs indicate no photography (some special exhibits might restrict it). The dome viewpoint is an awesome photo spot.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"25087\" data-end=\"25758\"><strong data-start=\"25087\" data-end=\"25110\">Explore the Square:<\/strong> After your museum visit, take a little time to enjoy <strong data-start=\"25164\" data-end=\"25184\">Wenceslas Square<\/strong> itself. Right outside the museum is a great spot to snap a picture of the square sloping down toward the Old Town. There are cafes, shops, and the famous St. Wenceslas statue nearby (an ideal meeting point for locals). You\u2019ll appreciate the museum even more when you see how it anchors the whole area. And if you\u2019re curious about modern Czech history, the square is lined with plaques and memorials (for example, look for the memorial to Jan Palach and Jan Zaj\u00edc near the statue \u2013 students who protested in 1969). It\u2019s a place where history and present-day Prague mingle.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"25760\" data-end=\"25937\">By following these tips, you\u2019ll be set for a memorable visit to the National Museum. Enjoy your time traveling through Czech history in one of Prague\u2019s most beautiful buildings!<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"25939\" data-end=\"26553\"><strong data-start=\"25939\" data-end=\"25951\">Sources:<\/strong> National Museum Prague \u2013 Official Website and Prague City Tourism<span class=\"\" data-state=\"closed\"><span class=\"ms-1 inline-flex max-w-full items-center relative top-[-0.094rem] animate-[show_150ms_ease-in]\"><a class=\"flex h-4.5 overflow-hidden rounded-xl px-2 text-[0.5625em] font-medium text-token-text-secondary! bg-[#F4F4F4]! dark:bg-[#303030]! transition-colors duration-150 ease-in-out\" href=\"https:\/\/prague.eu\/en\/objevujte\/national-museum-museum-complex-of-the-national-museum\/#:~:text=The%20Neo,foundation%20of%20the%20Czechoslovak%20Republic\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"relative start-0 bottom-0 flex h-full w-full items-center\"><span class=\"flex h-4 w-full items-center justify-between overflow-hidden\"><span class=\"max-w-full grow truncate overflow-hidden text-center\">prague.eu<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/span><span class=\"ms-1 inline-flex max-w-full items-center relative top-[-0.094rem] animate-[show_150ms_ease-in]\"><a class=\"flex h-4.5 overflow-hidden rounded-xl px-2 text-[0.5625em] font-medium text-token-text-secondary! bg-[#F4F4F4]! dark:bg-[#303030]! transition-colors duration-150 ease-in-out\" href=\"https:\/\/prague.eu\/en\/objevujte\/national-museum-museum-complex-of-the-national-museum\/#:~:text=The%20Historical%20Building%20of%20the,with%20a%20unique%20multimedia%20exhibition\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"relative start-0 bottom-0 flex h-full w-full items-center\"><span class=\"flex h-4 w-full items-center justify-between overflow-hidden\"><span class=\"max-w-full grow truncate overflow-hidden text-center\">prague.eu<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span>; Wikipedia<span class=\"ms-1 inline-flex max-w-full items-center relative top-[-0.094rem] animate-[show_150ms_ease-in]\"><a class=\"flex h-4.5 overflow-hidden rounded-xl px-2 text-[0.5625em] font-medium text-token-text-secondary! bg-[#F4F4F4]! dark:bg-[#303030]! transition-colors duration-150 ease-in-out\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/National_Museum_(Prague)#:~:text=During%20the%201968%20Warsaw%20Pact,to%20repair%20the%20bullet%20holes\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"relative start-0 bottom-0 flex h-full w-full items-center\"><span class=\"flex h-4 w-full items-center justify-between overflow-hidden\"><span class=\"max-w-full grow truncate overflow-hidden text-center\">en.wikipedia.org<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><span class=\"ms-1 inline-flex max-w-full items-center relative top-[-0.094rem] animate-[show_150ms_ease-in]\"><a class=\"flex h-4.5 overflow-hidden rounded-xl px-2 text-[0.5625em] font-medium text-token-text-secondary! bg-[#F4F4F4]! dark:bg-[#303030]! transition-colors duration-150 ease-in-out\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/National_Museum_(Prague)#:~:text=The%20main%20hall%20of%20the,5\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"relative start-0 bottom-0 flex h-full w-full items-center\"><span class=\"flex h-4 w-full items-center justify-between overflow-hidden\"><span class=\"max-w-full grow truncate overflow-hidden text-center\">en.wikipedia.org<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span>; Radio Prague &amp; Museum archives<span class=\"\" data-state=\"closed\"><span class=\"ms-1 inline-flex max-w-full items-center relative top-[-0.094rem] animate-[show_150ms_ease-in]\"><a class=\"flex h-4.5 overflow-hidden rounded-xl px-2 text-[0.5625em] font-medium text-token-text-secondary! bg-[#F4F4F4]! dark:bg-[#303030]! transition-colors duration-150 ease-in-out\" href=\"https:\/\/muzeum3000.nm.cz\/national-museum-news\/top-items-%E2%80%93-skeleton-of-a-whale#:~:text=However%2C%20the%20museum%20did%20not,skeleton%20was%20transported%20to%20Prague\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"relative start-0 bottom-0 flex h-full w-full items-center\"><span class=\"flex h-4 w-full items-center justify-between overflow-hidden\"><span class=\"max-w-full grow truncate overflow-hidden text-center\">muzeum3000.nm.cz<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/span><span class=\"\" data-state=\"closed\"><span class=\"ms-1 inline-flex max-w-full items-center relative top-[-0.094rem] animate-[show_150ms_ease-in]\"><a class=\"flex h-4.5 overflow-hidden rounded-xl px-2 text-[0.5625em] font-medium text-token-text-secondary! bg-[#F4F4F4]! dark:bg-[#303030]! transition-colors duration-150 ease-in-out\" href=\"https:\/\/muzeum3000.nm.cz\/national-museum-news\/traces-of-shooting-from-1968-will-not-be-covered-by-the-reconstruction#:~:text=Image%3A%20The%20shots%20made%20numerous,decorations%20and%20also%20the%20interiors\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"relative start-0 bottom-0 flex h-full w-full items-center\"><span class=\"flex h-4 w-full items-center justify-between overflow-hidden\"><span class=\"max-w-full grow truncate overflow-hidden text-center\">muzeum3000.nm.cz<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/span>; Czech news (Aktu\u00e1ln\u011b.cz)<span class=\"ms-1 inline-flex max-w-full items-center relative top-[-0.094rem] animate-[show_150ms_ease-in]\"><a class=\"flex h-4.5 overflow-hidden rounded-xl px-2 text-[0.5625em] font-medium text-token-text-secondary! bg-[#F4F4F4]! dark:bg-[#303030]! transition-colors duration-150 ease-in-out\" href=\"https:\/\/www.abicko.cz\/clanek\/precti-si-zabava-historie\/24238\/narodni-muzeum-historie-slavna-i-tragicka.html#:~:text=Ob%C4%9B%20tragick%C3%A9%20ud%C3%A1losti%20znamenaly%20pro,patrn%C3%A9%20i%20mnoho%20let%20pot%C3%A9\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"relative start-0 bottom-0 flex h-full w-full items-center\"><span class=\"flex h-4 w-full items-center justify-between overflow-hidden\"><span class=\"max-w-full grow truncate overflow-hidden text-center\">abicko.cz<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><span class=\"ms-1 inline-flex max-w-full items-center relative top-[-0.094rem] animate-[show_150ms_ease-in]\"><a class=\"flex h-4.5 overflow-hidden rounded-xl px-2 text-[0.5625em] font-medium text-token-text-secondary! bg-[#F4F4F4]! dark:bg-[#303030]! transition-colors duration-150 ease-in-out\" href=\"https:\/\/www.abicko.cz\/clanek\/precti-si-zabava-historie\/24238\/narodni-muzeum-historie-slavna-i-tragicka.html#:~:text=Nejv%C4%9Bt%C5%A1%C3%AD%20ranou%20pro%20N%C3%A1rodn%C3%AD%20muzeum,m%C3%ADstem%20odpo%C4%8Dinku%2C%20%C3%BA%C5%BEasu%20a%20pozn%C3%A1n%C3%AD\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"relative start-0 bottom-0 flex h-full w-full items-center\"><span class=\"flex h-4 w-full items-center justify-between overflow-hidden\"><span class=\"max-w-full grow truncate overflow-hidden text-center\">abicko.cz<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span>. Each reference has been vetted to ensure accurate and up-to-date information for your travels. Enjoy your exploration of Prague\u2019s iconic National Museum!<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"69\" data-end=\"259\">\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The National Museum\u2019s grand Neo-Renaissance facade crowns the upper end of Prague\u2019s Wenceslas Square, a centerpiece of the city\u2019s cultural heritage. Prague\u2019s National Museum building isn\u2019t just a museum \u2013 it\u2019s a monumental storyteller. Perched at the very top of bustling Wenceslas Square, this Neo-Renaissance palace has witnessed revolutions, wars, and rebirths in Czech history. [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":9731,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"none","_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"","_seopress_robots_index":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[36,102],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-9992","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-prague-tourist-guide","category-prague-history"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/praguehints.com\/he\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9992","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/praguehints.com\/he\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/praguehints.com\/he\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/praguehints.com\/he\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/praguehints.com\/he\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9992"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/praguehints.com\/he\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9992\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/praguehints.com\/he\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9731"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/praguehints.com\/he\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9992"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/praguehints.com\/he\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9992"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/praguehints.com\/he\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9992"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}