National Museum (Prague)

Prague's flagship museum is a huge place encompassing several floors displaying a wide range of exhibits from the natural world, science and history. Located centrally in Wenceslas Square, it is the Czech Republic's largest and oldest museum complex and exploring in detail could easily take up the best part of a day during cheap city breaks in Prague. It is set in a monumental neo-renaissance mansion house, itself an elegant work of art, and its entrance lobby is typically ostentatious with grand sweeping staircases and Romanesque statues. Set just off the main entrance is a historic theatre which hosts gala classical concerts and folk music performances.

 

With over 14 million items in its collection at several sites around Prague, there is more than enough variety to satisfy every taste. Some exhibitions are rather scholarly and may only interest academics in classical archaeology and ethnology, yet most are accessible and will interest everyone. There are also some fanciful displays from prehistory and the natural world that kids will find enchanting. The most popular sections are scale models of dinosaurs and ice age mammals, music and theatrical exhibitions and traditional folklore. Weekend breaks in Prague for serious art and history lovers can save a packet with a three day unrestricted pass to almost a dozen other centres around Prague affiliated to the National Museum.

 

English language audio self-guided tours are available throughout the day and offer a rewarding introduction to a vast array of exhibits which can seem a little bewildering at first. Each gallery is spacious, well lit and has informative English language descriptions and several departments have weekly lectures and workshops which are free to all. Short breaks in Prague can also take advantage of free entrance all day long on the third Thursday each month.