The fascinating National Museum in Prague
Summary: Dinosaur bones, stunning statues, beautiful paintings, precious rocks, the National Museum in Prague is a fascinating place to absorb culture and history in a this unique part of Europe!
Situated at the top of Wenceslas Square, the museum's main building is an architectural landmark, designed by Josef Schulz and completed in 1891. This grand Neo-Renaissance structure is characterised by its impressive façade, adorned with sculptures and intricate details that celebrate Czech culture and history.
The museum's extensive collection spans various fields, including natural history, anthropology, archaeology, art, and music. It houses millions of items, offering a comprehensive overview of the natural and cultural heritage of the Czech lands. Among its notable exhibits are ancient artifacts from prehistoric times, medieval manuscripts, and a wide array of fossils and minerals. The museum also boasts an impressive numismatic collection, featuring coins, medals, and banknotes from different historical periods.
One of the highlights of the National Museum is its historical exhibitions, which cover significant events and figures in Czech history. These exhibitions provide a detailed narrative of the country's past, from its early beginnings through to modern times, showcasing artifacts such as royal regalia, historical documents, and items related to prominent Czech personalities.
In addition to the main building, the National Museum operates several other sites around Prague, each dedicated to different aspects of its vast collection. These include the Náprstek Museum of Asian, African, and American Cultures, the Museum of Czech Music, and the Lapidarium, which houses a collection of stone sculptures and architectural fragments.
The National Museum has undergone extensive renovations in recent years, reopening to the public in 2018 with updated exhibits and modernized facilities. These renovations have enhanced the visitor experience, making it easier to navigate the museum's vast collections and providing state-of-the-art display techniques.
Today, the National Museum stands as a testament to the rich cultural and historical legacy of the Czech Republic. It attracts visitors from around the world who come to explore its diverse and meticulously curated exhibits. The museum not only serves as a centre for education and research but also as a symbol of national pride and identity.
You might also like:
Shepard Fairey's Photo Synthesis exhibition at Fotografiska Tallinn is a wonderful, intricate and impactful exploration of his artistic journey, running until March 2025.
Despite not featuring a single Banksy original, we were excited to visit an unauthorised Banksy exhibition that’s been touring around Europe since 2021.
The Palace of Culture and Science, known as Pałac Kultury i Nauki (PKiN) in Polish, is a prominent skyscraper in central Warsaw, and one of the city's most iconic landmarks.
The Ennuksemäe Forest Brothers’ bunker is a fascinating historical site located near Viljandi, Estonia. This bunker is significant as it represents the resistance efforts of the Forest Brothers, a group of Estonian partisans who fought against Soviet occupation after World War II.
The Cisterns in Copenhagen, hidden beneath Søndermarken Park, are a fascinating and eerie underground space with a rich history.
Originally constructed in 1856, these massive reservoirs were part of Copenhagen’s first water supply system, designed to store and deliver clean drinking water to the growing city.
Gediminas Tower, an iconic symbol of Vilnius, stands proudly atop Gediminas Hill, overlooking the city with a commanding presence. This historic tower is all that remains of the Upper Castle, which was part of a larger defensive complex built in the early 14th century by Grand Duke Gediminas, the founder of Vilnius.
Dinosaur bones, stunning statues, beautiful paintings, precious rocks, the National Museum in Prague is a fascinating place to absorb culture and history in a this unique part of Europe.
Having spent the last few years exploring Estonia in a tent with a bike, 2024 seemed like a good time to sample and document more of Estonia’s rich history particularly the ample manor houses and castles!
Kernu Manor, is located about 35 kilometres southwest of Tallinn, and a historical gem with a rich past that reflects the country’s aristocratic heritage.
A recent trip to Vienna gave an opportunity to visit the incredible Austrian National Library (Österreichische Nationalbibliothek, ÖNB), the largest and most significant library in Austria, renowned as one of the world’s premier research libraries!
Having an interest in Space and the science, it seemed silly not see one of Prague’s biggest attractions in both of these subjects, the astronomical tower found inside the Clementinum.
The Illusion Art Museum in Prague, also known as the Museum of Illusions, is a captivating attraction that combines art, science, and psychology to create mind-bending visual experiences.
Located some 25 kilometres from Rakvere, the Rohu rocket base was once a vital part of the Soviet nuclear rocket complex established during the 1960s, but now lies largely in ruins.
A trip to Prague in 2024 gave a unique opportunity to see one of the John Lennon memorial Walls (there are others in Hong Kong, Barcelona and Warsaw) - a significant cultural and political landmark - located in the Malá Strana district.
The sea mines factory on Naissaar island, located in the Gulf of Finland, approximately 8 kilometres northwest of Tallinn, is one of the island’s most intriguing historical military sites, reflecting its strategic military significance during the 20th century.
As the name suggests, it offers a unique and eclectic experience, blending modern amenities such (as a gym, bar, sauna etc) with playful, circus-inspired styling – giving it a real dose of personality.
A recent trip to explore and document Prague led us to the Astronomical Clock in Prague, a medieval astronomical clock located in the Old Town Square in Prague, Czech Republic.
Wanting to explore more of eastern Europe travelled to Riga in Latvia, to see St. Peter's Church, a historic and architecturally significant building located in the heart of the Daugava River and the city's beautiful Old Town.
An experience drawn straight out of an Indiana Jones film, (or a Tomb Raider video game for us millennials), when we visited the Wieliczka Salt Mine, located near Kraków, one of the world's oldest operating salt mines and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Archaeological Park of Kato Pafos (Paphos) in Cyprus stands as a pivotal site, encapsulating centuries of history and cultural richness. Its inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list since 1980 underscores its significance as a treasure trove of ancient civilisation.
About the Author: Chris is the founder of Hiatus.Design, a website design and branding studio that works with brands all over the world, a former Royal Marines officer and former risk advisor to the BBC.
Chris has travelled in over 60 countries, is a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society (FRGS), a Guinness World Record holder for rowing over 3500 miles across the Atlantic Ocean, a Marathon des Sables finisher, and has worked with Hollywood actors, world–renowned musical artists and TV personalities!