The Museum of Communism in Prague is a small private entity whose main intent is to tell the story of the communist regime in what was then Czechoslovakia.
In particular that one wants to emphasize the influence that communist ideas had at that time on the everyday life of ordinary people, but also on the fate of the country.
The Museum of Communism is undoubtedly a place worth visiting. In this article we find out together what to see, how to get there, and what to visit nearby.
Tickets for the Museum of Communism in Prague
Gain access to the Museum of Communism and its interior by skipping the ticket line at the ticket office and listen to a brief introduction in Italian at the meeting point.
You can cancel your visit up to the day before.
Prague Museum of Communism
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The Museum of Communism only opened its doors in 2001 at the initiative of a private individual, an American named Glenn Spicker.
He initiated a unique museum in Prague, at least as far as the important Czech capital is concerned.
The years covered are those from 1946 to 1989, that is, from the establishment of the communist regime to the outbreak of the so-called Velvet Revolution.
The museum staff has decided to narrate the events that marked these decades by faithfully adhering to a historical itinerary renamed“Communism: the Dream, the Reality and the Nightmare.”
Visiting this exhibition provides a complete picture of that particular historical moment only by delving into each of the three main rooms (“dream,” “reality,” and “nightmare”). However, these are complemented by three other major halls (“the origins,” “historical figures,” and “the Velvet Revolution”).
The overall picture will almost always be unsettling while the experience is capable of making any visitor identify with that precise context.
What’s inside the Museum of Communism
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The museum displays everyday objects, photos, small works of art or handicrafts that tell the story of an era.
There is also no lack of attention to everyday life and the ways in which the regime managed to shape it.
Some prominence in the halls is given to accounts pertaining to the Prague Spring and the Velvet Revolution.
The museum also makes use of valuable audio-visual aids often dating back to the era under consideration.
Is it worth visiting the Museum of Communism?
To better understand the history of Prague and, more generally, the Czech Republic, it is useful to delve into the period of the Communist regime. The museum displays a wide variety of documents, photographs and informative texts describing daily life during those years, as well as the political events that shaped the era.
However, the main criticism of the facility is that much of the information is presented in the form of text-rich panels, rather than through interactive objects or installations. This causes the visit to be mainly reduced to intense reading, and many wonder whether it would not be equally valuable to read a good book on the subject.
Contact
- Address: V Celnici 1031/4, 118 00 Nové Město, Czechia
- Hours: Monday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m
- Phone: +420 224 212 966
- Online tickets: click here
How to get to the Museum of Communism
The Museum of Communism is located in the center of Prague, inside theOld Customs House, at V Celnici 1031/4, Prague 1. From the main street, you enter an inner courtyard and then climb some stairs.
- Metro: the nearest stop is Náměstí Republiky (line B).
- Walking: if you are already in the center, a short walk will probably be enough to reach it.
What to see besides the Museum of Communism
What to see after visiting the Museum of Communism? Near the building that houses it are the Wax Museum and the Mucha Museum.
Some of your time would also merit the Municipal House and the Old Town Square.
Conclusions
The Museum of Communism remains an important piece for those who want to explore the recent history of the Czech Republic. It undoubtedly offers a detailed picture of life during the regime and the political dynamics of the time, but the primarily text-based setting may make the visit less engaging for some.
If you are particularly interested in the political and social history of the twentieth century, a visit might be worth the expense, although I would suggest pairing the experience with a guided tour or further exploration to make it more comprehensive and interactive.
If, on the other hand, you are short on time and wish to visit mainly Prague’s most iconic attractions, such as the Castle, Charles Bridge, or the Old Town, you might consider investing your budget and time differently.
Tickets to the Museum of Communism in Prague
Gain access to the Museum of Communism and its interior by skipping the ticket line at the ticket office and listen to a brief introduction in Italian at the meeting point.
You can cancel your visit up to the day before.
