The National Museum in Prague is the largest museum institution in the Czech Republic, founded in 1818 under the name "Patriotic Museum of Bohemia." Its creation was linked to the efforts of Czech patriots of the National Revival era — Count Kaspar Maria von Sternberg, historian František Palacký, biologist Jan Evangelista Purkyně, and paleontologist Joachim Barrande.
The museum`s current building on Wenceslas Square was constructed between 1885 and 1890, designed by architect Josef Schulz in the Neo-Renaissance style. The museum opened to visitors on 18 May 1891. Between 2011 and 2018, the building underwent an extensive renovation and reopened in time for the 100th anniversary of Czechoslovakia.
Key Milestones in Czech History
Czech history spans more than a millennium of key events that shaped the nation. In the 9th century, Slavic tribes established the Great Moravian Empire, and Christianity arrived in these lands with the mission of Cyril and Methodius in 863. The Přemyslid dynasty unified the country by 995, making Prague its center.
The Golden Age came during the reign of Charles IV (1346–1378), King of Bohemia and Holy Roman Emperor, under whom Prague became an imperial capital and the first university in Central Europe was founded in 1348.
The Hussite movement began with the execution of reformer Jan Hus in 1415 and led to the Hussite Wars (1419–1434), which weakened the country. In 1526, the Habsburgs ascended to the Czech throne, leading to a gradual loss of independence. The Battle of White Mountain in 1620 finally cemented Habsburg rule for three centuries.
In 1918, the independent Czechoslovak Republic was proclaimed. The Munich Agreement of 1938 led to the loss of the Sudetenland, and in 1948 the Communists came to power. The Velvet Revolution of 1989 brought an end to the communist regime.
How the National Museum`s Exhibits Are Organized
The National Museum`s exhibits are arranged chronologically and thematically, reflecting key periods of Czech history. In the historic building on Wenceslas Square, permanent exhibitions cover both natural history collections and the history of the Czech lands from the 8th century to World War I. An underground tunnel connects the historic building to the New Building, which houses exhibitions on the 20th century and a Children`s Museum.
The permanent "History" exhibition, spread across seven halls covering 1,300 square meters, presents around 2,000 exhibits spanning the period from the 8th century to World War I. The "History of the 20th Century" exhibition in the New Building continues the narrative, including the period of communist rule and the Velvet Revolution.
Sections of the National Museum`s Exhibits
Mineral Halls
This collection was among the first donated to the museum in 1818 by Count Kaspar von Sternberg. The exhibition opened in 1892 and retains the arrangement created more than 100 years ago. It displays over 4,000 minerals from a unique collection of 100,000 specimens from around the world.
"Wonders of Evolution"
This modern natural history exhibition, covering 2,000 square meters, presents the animal world without display cases or shelves. The centerpiece is the skeleton of a fin whale, 22.5 meters long and weighing around four tonnes. Also on display are models of a great white shark, a minke whale, and the world`s largest model of a giant squid, 17 meters long.
"Window into Prehistory"
One of Europe`s most modern natural history exhibitions takes visitors from the Paleozoic era to the Quaternary period. Among its 2,000 exhibits are the earliest known land vascular plant, Cooksonia barrandei, dating back 430 million years, and the skeleton of the only Czech dinosaur, Burianosaurus augustai. The exhibition concludes with the skeleton of a woolly rhinoceros and a life-size mammoth.
"History" Exhibition
This exhibition covers Czech history from the 8th century to World War I. Its exhibits range from the smallest medieval jewelry to the largest item: an 18th-century archbishop`s carriage, which can be compared to a "Ferrari of its time." Particular attention is given to borders and the formation of the nation, identity, language, and the struggle for power.
The Pantheon
The National Museum`s Pantheon is one of the most beautiful halls in the Czech Republic. Architect Josef Schulz created this ceremonial space in 1890. It houses 54 bronze statues of figures from Czech culture and science. The interior impresses with wall and portal paintings featuring a dynamic radial pattern.
What Tourists Should Look Out For
• The fin whale skeleton — one of the largest natural history exhibits in the Czech Republic, 22.5 meters long and weighing around four tonnes.
• The Pantheon — a hall with 54 bronze statues of outstanding Czech figures and impressive architectural design.
• Cooksonia barrandei — the earliest known land vascular plant in the world, 430 million years old.
• The dome observation deck — the terrace beneath the dome offers a panoramic view of Wenceslas Square and Prague.
• The 18th-century archbishop`s carriage — the largest exhibit in the history collection and a symbol of the transport craftsmanship of its time.
Practical Information
• Address: Václavské náměstí 68, Praha 1 (Historic Building).
• Opening hours: daily from 10:00 to 18:00.
• Tickets: basic ticket — 250 CZK; reduced ticket for visitors aged 65 and over, students, and children aged 15–18 — 150 CZK. Children under 15 and visitors with disabilities — free. A single ticket is valid at both the Historic and New Buildings.
• Getting there: metro lines A or C, Muzeum station; trams 11 or 13.
• Accessibility: step-free access via the New Building, from which a tunnel leads to the Historic Building. The dome observation deck is not accessible to visitors with limited mobility.
• Visiting time: allow 3–5 hours.
From the earliest fossils to 20th-century documents, from mineral collections to the Pantheon of national heroes, the National Museum in Prague offers a complete picture of Czech history and nature. A visit to the museum provides an opportunity to see key exhibits that cannot be found anywhere else and to understand the context of the events that shaped modern Czechia.
