Armádní muzeum Žižkov

About the museum

The museum is housed in the historic buildings of the Liberation Memorial at the foot of Vítkov. An exhibition was first opened to the public here in 1932 as the Museum of the Liberation Memorial, focusing mainly on the resistance during the First World War. In September 1939 the Gestapo took over the entire complex, and the collections were moved by the Germans to the Schwarzenberg Palace, where they planned to set up their own military museum; most of the exhibits were recovered after the war.

After the war, the museum resumed its activities with a focus on both the first and the second resistance. After February 1948 the exhibitions were closed and reinstalled for political-ideological reasons; from 1954 the museum operated as the Museum of the Czechoslovak Army. After 1989 it was renamed the Museum of Resistance and the Czech Army, and today it bears the name Armádní muzeum Žižkov.

Between 2018 and 2022 the entire complex underwent a general reconstruction, during which the exhibition space tripled and entirely new exhibitions were created. On five thousand square metres across four floors, the military history of the Czech lands from its beginnings to the present is presented in seven chronological sections. More than seven thousand exhibits are displayed in almost three hundred display cases, supplemented by audiovisual media, so-called objects with a story, and QR codes with expanded information. The museum also includes Café Kupka on the top floor.

Highlights

• Seven chronological sections on the military history of the Czech lands, from its beginnings to the present
• More than seven thousand exhibits in almost three hundred display cases, including the Roman cavalry sword spatha
• Treasury with around 250 hand firearms from the 16th century to 1914
• Extensive First World War trench that visitors walk through
• Second World War exhibition, including the assassination of Reinhard Heydrich
• Free admission and Café Kupka with a terrace and a view of central Prague

Permanent exhibition

• Stálé expozice Armádního muzea Žižkov – Seven sections across four floors trace the military history of the Czech lands from its beginnings to 1740, the period 1740–1914, the First World War and its trenches, Czechoslovakia 1918–1938, the Second World War, and the period from 1948 to the present, including the army’s foreign missions.

Founded

1932

Operated by

Vojenský historický ústav Praha

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Admission to the museum is free. Educational programmes for children from nursery schools and for pupils at primary and secondary schools are also free.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The museum’s exhibitions are step-free. Animals are not admitted, except guide dogs and assistance dogs; bicycles, roller skates, skateboards and scooters are not allowed, except compensatory aids. A lift leads to the 3rd floor, where Café Kupka is located.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Stroller-friendly: not available

The museum offers schools guided educational programmes with worksheets. Families with children can also download worksheets for independent completion in the exhibition (aimed mainly at pupils in grades 3 to 9). Pushchairs are not taken into the exhibitions and are left at the visitor reception.

Getting there & parking

From the stop U Památníku, if you come from Florenc, walk back against the direction of travel of the bus and turn right uphill before the traffic lights; if you come from Flora, walk in the direction of travel of the bus and likewise turn right uphill before the traffic lights.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Lockers

Café Kupka on the top floor of one of the buildings has a terrace with a view of the historic centre of Prague and Prague Castle; it is accessed from the main reception. Lockers operated with deposit coins worth CZK 5 or EUR 1 are available for storing belongings. Food and drink may not be brought into the indoor exhibitions.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit