Prague is a city of history, art, and… surprisingly, technology. And where better to embark on a real technological adventure than the National Technical Museum? This place isn’t just for nerds and engineers. If you think museums are boring, you clearly haven’t been here. This isn’t about dusty exhibits – it’s an interactive journey into the world of science and technology that will surprise even those who usually avoid museums.
To learn more about the museum’s history, we spoke to the most qualified person, Bc. Ján Duda, responsible for PR and public relations.
Can you tell us a bit about the history of the National Technical Museum?
The museum was founded in 1908 as the Museum of the Kingdom of Bohemia. In 2011, it underwent extensive renovations, and today it offers 16 exhibitions covering various fields of technology. The most notable include transportation, architecture, astronomy, chemistry, and time measurement.
One of the museum’s most unique areas is the coal mine model. Although it never served for actual mining, it offers an authentic underground atmosphere, including 90 tons of real coal from Kladno, transported here in the 1950s. In the past, this mine was used as a recruitment center when mining was considered a prestigious profession crucial for Czechoslovakia’s development.
The museum primarily focuses on local collections with historical significance for the Czech lands, but you can also find international exhibits related to the country’s history.
Where should visitors go first? Where is the biggest “wow” factor?
Definitely the Transportation Hall. It’s not only the largest and most impressive space in the museum but also the most photographed exhibit. Here, visitors will find a collection of cars, aviation, motorcycles, bicycles, and selected locomotive models. It’s a thrilling experience for both kids and adults.
What are the top five most important exhibits?
The museum building itself is unique, built in a functionalist style in the 1930s and designed specifically for museum purposes, which is rare in the Czech Republic. In the Transportation Hall, don’t miss the first Czech-produced car, “President,” a key model in Czech automotive history, and the Spitfire fighter plane, a tribute to Czechoslovak pilots who fought in the British Royal Air Force during World War II.
In the astronomy exhibit, a meteorite is the only extraterrestrial object in the museum. Another top exhibit is Otto Wichterle’s “Lens Machine,” the device used by the Czech scientist to develop the principle of contact lens production, found in the chemistry section. And, of course, the singing fountain from the Expo 58 exhibition.
Valuable Exhibits Beyond the Museum Walls
Photo: Letná Carousel and Railway Depository Chomutov source NTM Prague
Some exceptional exhibits can be found outside the museum, like the Letná Carousel in front of the building. The museum is also preparing to relocate an exhibit from the Railway Depository in Chomutov. The National Technical Museum has been entrusted with the former locomotive depot at Masaryk Station in Prague, where the main railway transport exhibition is being prepared.
The Transportation Hall
As soon as you step inside, you enter a dreamland for any tech enthusiast. The first thing that hits you is the massive transportation exhibition, where a gallery of historic planes, cars, and trains unfolds before your eyes, making you feel like you’re in a 20th-century action movie.
That first Czech car, “President“? It’s right here! The locomotives that once roamed European tracks? Check! A plane that looks like it flew straight out of a Jules Verne novel? Absolutely! And yes, we found the legendary Spitfire. As cycling enthusiasts, we spent plenty of time exploring the floors dedicated to bicycles and motorcycles.
It’s not just about Machines. Although vehicles dominate, the upper floors offer much more. Astronomy, consumer electronics, film, architecture, and printing – there’s something for everyone.
The Journey to the Stars was the Biggest Highlight
If you still believe the Earth is flat, this exhibit will convince you otherwise. Want to touch a real meteorite? Go ahead! Think astronomy is just about telescopes? Prepare for a big surprise.
The astronomy exhibition at the National Technical Museum showcases how people have studied the sky throughout history and the tools they used. You’ll find ancient astrolabes, sextants, and precise measuring instruments that helped both sailors navigate the seas and scientists explore the universe. The highlight of the exhibit is a beautifully preserved Copernican model of the solar system, illustrating the heliocentric theory – an idea that once turned the scientific world upside down. We searched in vain for a flat Earth model – all we saw were globes. Humanity figured this out centuries ago. 🙂
And if you think you’ve seen it all, just look up. Hanging above you are original satellite models that Czechoslovakia sent into space. For modern astronomy enthusiasts, there’s an interactive section where you can simulate planetary movements or test how navigation by the stars works. We even got to touch a meteorite.
Consumer Electronics
When TVs were a Miracle. The consumer electronics and time measurement sections provide a completely different experience. They’re among the most engaging exhibits because almost every visitor exclaims, “We had that at home!”
Which PRIM watches did you wear? Do you remember the first mixers, whisks, kitchen robots, washing machines, tape recorders, or wooden-framed televisions? Maybe not – and that’s what makes this exhibit so fascinating. It features household appliances that were once the peak of technological innovation.
Next to them stand what appear to be old cabinets – but they’re actually the ancestors of modern supercomputers.
Printing
The Invention That Changed the World. Imagine a world without books. Terrifying, right? Gutenberg’s invention of the printing press sparked an information revolution, and at the National Technical Museum, you can see firsthand how it all worked. The exhibit includes original printing machines, hand presses, and historic books that have survived for centuries. Everything is functional.
One of the biggest highlights is the opportunity to print your own page using an old printing system – just like in the 15th century. It’s fascinating to see how individual letters are assembled into lines, dipped in ink, and pressed onto paper. If you’ve ever wondered how the first books were made, here you can experience it firsthand.
We were also particularly captivated by the architecture pavilion. The visualizations and models of many unrealized projects give a glimpse of how Prague could have looked. The museum building itself is a great example of functionalist design.
Why Visit the National Technical Museum?
The National Technical Museum in Letná is one of the best-equipped technical museums in Europe – and it’s right in Prague, a city already full of historical treasures. But it’s not just about exhibits. You can spend hours here (especially with kids) on an adventure that pulls you into the world of science and technology. Whether you love trains, cars, space, vintage electronics, or the history of books, you’ll find something fascinating. Plus, the interactive elements keep even those entertained who usually avoid museums.
If you’re tired of Prague’s usual tourist attractions and want to experience something different, the National Technical Museum is a must-see. It’s just a short walk from Letná Park, offering stunning views of Prague, the Vltava River, and its bridges. It’s conveniently located between Hradčany and the DOX Center.
Our inspiration to visit this museum originally came from the film Pelíšky. We were more than happy to be drawn into this world of discoveries and ingenious inventions. Science and great technology never go out of style!
