Hrdličkovo muzeum člověka
University anthropological museum of the Faculty of Science of Charles University showing human evolution, skulls, death masks and Egyptian mummies; by appointment only.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The museum was founded thanks to Aleš Hrdlička, an American anthropologist of Czech origin, who designed the concept of the exhibition and was its main financial donor. The first mention of its founding dates from 1922. Because of the economic crisis, a separate building could not be built, so the collections ended up in the building of the Faculty of Science on Albertov, where the museum opened on 22 October 1937 and in the same year received the name Hrdličkovo muzeum člověka.
Originally a building of about 1,100 m² was planned; today the museum has only 128 m² at its disposal, so many exhibits cannot be displayed. In 1952 the museum moved together with the Anthropological Institute to Viničná 7, where it is still located.
The exhibition remains faithful to Hrdlička's idea and is divided into four thematic sections: the evolution of the human species, human variability, the development of the individual, and pathology and death. The museum is part of the Faculty of Science of Charles University. Visits are a regular part of biology teaching at schools, and work is under way on a new permanent exhibition.
Highlights
- Models of palaeoanthropological finds from Australopithecus to modern humans
- Trepanned skulls from the Migration Period
- Phrenological collection
- Šebesta collection of casts of Pygmies
- Death masks of Czech and foreign personalities
- Egyptian mummies
Permanent exhibition
- Stálá expozice – příběh lidského druhu – Two exhibition rooms show human evolution, human variability, the development of the individual and the themes of disease and death; they include skulls, the phrenological collection, death masks and Egyptian mummies.
- Founded
- 1937
- Operated by
- Přírodovědecká fakulta Univerzity Karlovy
- Director
- Mgr. Zuzana Schierová
- Visitors per year
- approx. 5,868
Admission & discounts
| Adults | 100 Kč |
|---|---|
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 4 · Children under 5 enter free. |
| Visitors with disabilities | freeHolders of a ZTP card enter free. |
| Students & apprentices | freeStudents and staff of Charles University enter free. |
| Groups (6+ people) | 100 Kč per personThe price is a reduced rate for organised groups; at most 10 visitors per group (20 in an organised group). |
| Workshop Bone Collectors | 200 Kč6–12 people |
| Workshop The Secrets of Egyptian Scribes | 250 Kč6–12 people |
| Workshop Beneath the Mummy's Bandages | 250 Kč6–12 people |
The guided tour costs CZK 100 per person including VAT; members of the association Přírodovědci.cz and ICOM also enter free. Accompanying events, workshops and thematic excursions have a separate price list and are paid to the lecturer in cash before the start. A research visit follows the research rules and may be charged.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 4 |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
The museum offers programmes and workshops for kindergartens, primary schools (1st and 2nd level) and secondary schools. Children under 5 enter free.
Getting there & parking
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Amenities & dining
The museum's website offers small items for sale (skeleton pens, postcards, magnets, publications).
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | The museum can only be visited with a guide; the guided tour lasts no more than 1.5 hours. Tours and workshops must be booked in advance via the reservation form or by e-mail; the booking is binding only after written confirmation by the museum. Several times a year, thematic excursions open to the public take place, provided at least six people register. |
