Prague itself is like a work of art with medieval cobbles, Gothic steeples, statues of fallen angels and pastel-coloured houses. But there’s much more to discover beyond the surface of the city.
Head inside the museums and galleries, discover the work of local and contemporary artists, including David Černý who’ll leave you shocked, laughing and bemused…
In this guide to Prague I will show you the best of what this city has to offer with a focus on art and architecture.
Art Museums & Galleries in Prague
National Gallery of Prague
Location: Various locations (see website).
The National Gallery is home to the largest collection of art in the Czech Republic. It’s so big that it’s not all housed under one roof.
Instead, the collection of art dating from medieval times to the 21st century spans across six unique locations within the city ranging from old renovated palaces and convents to functionalist buildings. You’ll be able to find the collections in the following buildings: the Convent of St Agnes of Bohemia, the Kinský Palace, the Salm Palace, the Schwarzenberg Palace, the Sternberg Palace, the Wallenstein Riding School, and the Veletržní Palace.
The largest gallery is situated inside the Veletržní Paláce (pictured above). It houses the National Gallery’s collection of modern art.
The international collection includes numerous works by artists such as Picasso, Monet, Van Gogh, Rodin, Gauguin, Cézanne, Renoir, Schiele, Munch, Miró and Klimt. The vast collection also contains a large number of Czech and Slovak paintings and sculptures, including works by Alfons Mucha, Otto Gutfreund, František Kupka and T. F. Simon to name a few.
DOX Centre for Contemporary Art
Location: Poupetova 1, Prague 7
DOX is more than just an exhibition space. Its name derives from the Greek word doxa, which among other things means to think, to hold an opinion, and a conviction. Through its exhibitions and presentations of current international and Czech art, it aims to open current social topics for reflection and discussion through various artistic disciplines. These are further developed by public events, film screenings and interactive workshops.
It’s worth even going simply to check out the space and how it’s used. In 2016 a unique architectural additional was revealed on the rooftop of DOX. The 42 m long steel and wood structure in the shape of an aircraft became a new permanent space for reading and literature events.
Museum Kampa
Location: U Sovových mlýnů 2, 118 00 Malá Strana
Museum Kampa is a private collection of artwork collected by Meda Mladkova which reminds me somewhat of the Guggenheim in Venice.
The sculpture garden has some super fun sculptures, including the iconic crawling babies of David Černý. So fun and cheeky are his sculptures, I think its mandatory to take a photo with them!
You’ll also find cropping up in other places across the city, and a startling installation of yellow penguins overlooking a gorgeous view of the river bank. Entry to the sculpture garden is free but there’s a small charge to visit each exhibitions inside the museum.
MeetFactory
Location: Ke Sklárně 3213/15 150 00 Praha 5
Located in an industrial building, MeetFactory is definitely the most hipster space to get your fill of art in Prague. The tone is set by its founder the world renown sculptor and Agitprop artist, David Černy (you know… the man behind the huge babies).
He is accompanied by musician David Koller and film and theatre director Alice Nellis, where together they support original projects in the fields of visual arts, theatre and music as well as interdisciplinary and experimental platforms. And if you top this all off with the bar serving a great selection of drinks, there’s no doubt that MeetFactory is also a cool place to hang out with friends.
Architecture in Prague
Strahov Library
Architect: Giovanni Dominik Orsi
Location: Strahovské nádvoří 1/132, 118 00 Praha 1
The Strahov Library is one of the world’s most beautiful libraries. It consists of two stunning baroque halls – the 17th century Theological Hall and 18th century Philosophical Hall – containing around 200,000 books, old prints, first copies and manuscripts. Both halls are dominated by incredible ceiling frescoes by Siard Nosecký and Anton Maulbertsch. Thanks to numerous renovations it remains strikingly well-preserved, perched atop a hill with magnificent views of the city.
It’s worth mentioning that without a guided tour, visitors can only admire the library from the corridor area. The views from the corridor, as seen in the photo are still spectacular though!
Don’t miss! Just steps away from Strahov Library, you’ll find the quirky Museum of Miniatures. It holds a wonderful collection of microminiature art that visitors view through magnify glasses and microscopes. It’s a very small (no pun intended) museum, but still worth a short trip inside.
The Dancing House
Architect: Vlado Milunić and Frank Gehry
Location: Rašínovo nábřeží 80, 120 00 Praha 2
Designed by Vlado Milunić and the legendary Frank Gehry, Dancing House is a symbol of the modern-day Czech Republic and a large-scale representation of Prague’s sculptural prowess. Inspired by the dancing figures of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, this unmissable piece of architecture is located on Rašínovo nábřeží.
The structure proudly stands out among the Baroque, Gothic, and Art Nouveau buildings that Prague is known for, so be sure to wander around and take it in from all angles.
The Žižkov Television Tower
Architect: Václav Aulický and the structural engineer Jiří Kozák
Location: Mahlerovy sady 1, 130 00 Praha 3
At a whooping 216 metres all, Žižkov Television Tower is one of the most distinct features of the city’s skyline. It consists of a tubular centre with ‘pods’ and decks where equipment and antennas are held as well as room for an observation deck that offers a stunning 360 degree view.
Designed in the structural expressionism style, the tower received much criticism at first as it was thought to resemble old Soviet structures (which is exactly why I love it). To counteract this, the tower was decorated with giant crawling babies by David Černý (yes, him again, haha).
Although the sculptures were meant to be part of a temporary exhibit in 2000, they were so well-loved that they became a permanent fixture of the tower in 2001. The tower is also illuminated at night.
Villa Müller
Architect: Adolf Loos
Location: Nad Hradním vodojemem 642/14, 162 00 Praha 6-Střešovice,
Known as an innovative landmark of early modernist architecture, the Villa Müller embodies Loos’ ideas of economy and functionality. While Frank Lloyd Wright was perfecting the seamlessness of the transition from inside to outside, Loos was deliberately keeping the public outside and the private inside of his houses as separate as possible. He said, “The building should be dumb outside and only reveal wealth inside.”
Loo’s strong statement is embodied in Villa Müller, where the outside of the villa is an unadorned, spartan, white cube. But the inside is surprisingly sensual with deep vivid colours, shapes and textures. The use of space is also something to truly behold.
Street Art in Prague
Franz Kafka Sculpture
Location: Spalena 2121/22 | Quadrio Shopping Center, Prague 110 00
The eleven-metre-high David Černý statue is a 21st-century technical marvel of Prague. Forty-two moving panels form the face of the great Czech writer Franz Kafka.
To get the complete Metamorphosis, you need to wait for the right alignment of the panels. It’s very hypnotic and appears to dazzle in any waether!
Don’t miss! The Franz Kafka Museum in the historical neighbourhood of Malá Strana. It offers a comprehensive biographical exhibition, providing insights into Kafka’s life, relationships, and literary works. Visitors can explore his personal letters, diaries, and photographs. The museum features interactive displays, multimedia installations, and audiovisual presentations, making the experience engaging and informative. Truly one of the highlights of this beautiful city.
The Lennon Wall
Location: Velkopřevorské nám., 118 00 Malá Strana, Prague
At first glance, the Lennon Wall is like any graffiti-covered wall you see around the world. But this wall is special, thanks to its unique history – Prague’s equivalent of the Berlin Wall.
The John Lennon Peace Wall helped inspire the non-violent Velvet Revolution that led to the fall of Communism in former Czechoslovakia in 1989. Even though John Lennon never lived in Prague, he became a pacifist hero for many young Czechs after his death in 1980. An image of Lennon was painted on a wall opposite the French embassy along with political graffiti and Beatles lyrics. Despite vigilant eyes and repeated coats of whitewash, the secret police could never manage to keep the wall clean for long, which became a monument of free speech and the non-violent rebellion of Czech youth against the Communist regime.
Choose to be Happy by Pasta Oner
Location: Vitězné náměsti
Inspired by Michelangelo’s fresco in the Sistine Chapel, Pasta Oner created his own rendition of the Divine Touch in Prague.
This pop-art mural depicts the hand of god pointing toward the words Choose to Be Happy. How can you not smile when you see it? In addition to this famous mural, you can also check out Pasta Oner’s other work located at the Dejvicka metro station, at the corner of Narodni and Mikulandska, and at the DOX in Holesovice (mentioned earlier).
Where to stay in Prague
Prague offers a variety of neighbourhoods and accommodations to suit different preferences. The best place to stay depends on your interests and your preferred atmosphere.
I personally prefer staying to the left bank of the Vltava River, but I’ve stayed in several areas of Prague and I think these areas are the best because they all feature beautiful and historical architecture on your doorstep.
Old Town (Staré Město): Located at the heart of Prague, Old Town is perhaps the most popular place to stay due to its historic architecture, charming streets, and proximity to major attractions like Old Town Square and Charles Bridge.
Selected hotel → Hotel Residence Agnes
Prague Castle Area (Hradčany): Close to Prague Castle, this area offers a peaceful atmosphere with beautiful views of the city. It’s a great choice if you enjoy historical sites and somewhere quieter at night. The area is filled with cobbled streets – very romantic!
Selected hotel → Lindner Hotel Prague Castle
One Response
If you are an art lover probably wherever you go, you want to always visit art galleries. The National Art Gallery of Tirana in Albania it is not only cultural but also inspirational. Definitely a must-visit!!