Lapidárium Národního muzea
The pavilion at the Výstaviště houses the largest Czech state collection of stone sculpture from the 11th to 19th centuries; it is temporarily closed.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The National Museum (Národní muzeum) was founded in 1818, and as early as 1839 František Palacký stressed the need to rescue original stone works of art from disappearing monuments. A separate Lapidarium collection, however, was established only in 1898. Its home was a pavilion for retrospective exhibitions designed by the architect Antonín Wiehl for the Jubilee Exhibition of 1891, which was later rebuilt in the spirit of Neo-Baroque; the decoration of the façade dating from 1908 was created by František Hergessel.
The museum acquired most of the objects during the urban clearance of old Prague, roughly between 1890 and 1930. They come from demolished churches, aristocratic palaces and burgher houses, from archaeological excavations, and from monuments that had to give way to traffic, for example the Krocín Fountain from Staroměstské náměstí or the monument to Marshal Radecký from Malostranské náměstí. Monuments associated with the Habsburg monarchy, removed after the founding of Czechoslovakia, also found their way into the Lapidarium, as did, more recently, the originals of statues from the Charles Bridge and the Old Town Bridge Tower, which were replaced by copies.
The first separate exhibition was opened to the public in 1905; it operated again in 1932–1939 and 1954–1967. The present form of the exhibition dates from 1993, and in 1995 it received an award in the European Museum of the Year competition. The spaces are also used for art projects, lectures and concerts. At present the Lapidarium is closed until further notice for technical reasons.
Highlights
- Largest Czech state collection of stone sculpture and architectural elements from the 11th to 19th centuries
- Sculptures and sculpture groups originally decorating the Charles Bridge and the Old Town Bridge Tower
- Parts of the Krocín Fountain and monuments from Staroměstské náměstí, Malostranské náměstí and Koňský trh (Horse Market)
- Pavilion at the Výstaviště designed by the architect Antonín Wiehl
- Exhibition awarded in 1995 in the European Museum of the Year competition
Permanent exhibition
- Lapidárium – Památky kamenosochařství v Čechách od 11. do 19. století – The introductory display cases show the quarrying and processing of stone and the care of damaged works; in the further halls, the exhibition presents chronologically architectural elements, gravestones, fountains, reliefs and sculptures from the late 11th to the late 19th century.
- Founded
- 1898
- Operated by
- Národní muzeum – Historické muzeum
Admission & discounts
| Adults | 70 Kč |
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| Reduced | 50 Kčseniors from 65, young people aged 15 to 18, holders of ISIC and ITIC cards, and secondary and university students up to 26. |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 14 · Children up to 15 enter free, only accompanied by an adult. |
| Seniors | 50 KčSeniors from 65 years. |
| Visitors with disabilities | freeHolders of ZTP and ZTP/P cards enter free (for ZTP/P including a companion); tickets are only available at the ticket office. |
| Students & apprentices | 50 KčSecondary and university students up to 26 years. |
| Groups | 30 Kč per personSchool groups without a lecturer (organised school groups with teaching staff), price per person; up to three accompanying members enter free. Visiting times cannot be booked; tickets are only available at the ticket office. |
Tickets can be bought online or at the ticket office; an e-ticket is valid for 30 days from the date of purchase for one entry. Admission is also free (at the ticket office only) for holders of ICOM cards and of the Společnost Národního muzea (Society of the National Museum), and for employees of the contributory organisations of the Ministry of Culture (cardholder only).
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The building is partly accessible for wheelchair users. The accessible toilet is in non-public areas; staff at the ticket office will arrange access.
Kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 14 |
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- Stroller-friendly
The building can be entered with a pushchair.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Výstaviště
Metro line C, Nádraží Holešovice station; trams nos. 5, 12 and 17, Výstaviště stop.
Amenities & dining
- Museum shop
The shop is at the ticket office on the ground floor.
Events & venue rental
The Lapidarium is closed until further notice for technical reasons; opening hours have not been published.
Plan your visit
| Photography | Photography and filming for non-commercial purposes, without flash and tripod, is included in the admission price. |
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