Lobkowiczký palác

About the museum

Lobkowicz Palace was built in the second half of the 16th century at Prague Castle; construction was begun by Jaroslav of Pernštejn and completed by his brother Vratislav of Pernštejn. The palace came to the Lobkowicz family through the marriage of Polyxena of Pernštejn to Zdeněk Vojtěch of Lobkowicz. After the Thirty Years’ War, Václav Eusebius of Lobkowicz had the palace rebuilt in an Italianate early Baroque style, and in the 18th century it received its present exterior.

In the 20th century the palace was confiscated twice: first during the Nazi occupation, and then after 1948 by the communist regime. It was returned to the family in 2002 after a long restitution process. Five years of reconstruction and preparation of the exhibition followed, and in April 2007 the palace opened to the public as a museum. It is an important cultural monument and the only privately owned family palace within the Prague Castle complex, which is on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The permanent exhibition tells of key events in Czech and European history against the background of the fates of the Lobkowicz family. The Lobkowicz collections are among the oldest and largest of their kind in Europe, and some objects are more than two thousand years old. You will find paintings by masters such as Bruegel, Canaletto, Cranach and Velázquez, historical weapons, porcelain, and period copies of scores with notes by Mozart and Beethoven. Classical music concerts are held in the palace every day, in a concert hall with mid-17th-century frescoes.

Highlights

• Paintings by Bruegel, Canaletto, Cranach and Velázquez
• Period copies of scores with handwritten notes by Mozart and Beethoven
• Audio guide narrated by members of the Lobkowicz family, in several languages, included in the ticket price
• Daily classical music concerts in the concert hall with frescoes
• Restaurant and café with a terrace offering panoramic views of Prague

Permanent exhibition

• Stálá expozice Lobkowiczkých sbírek – The exhibition presents Czech and European history through the Lobkowicz family and its art-historical collections, with paintings, music manuscripts, weapons and porcelain.

Founded

2007

Operated by

House of Lobkowicz

Admission & discounts

A combined ticket for the palace and a concert, and a combined tour of the palace and Prague Castle, are also available (prices shown in the sales system). Members of the Friends of the Lobkowicz Collections club enter all House of Lobkowicz sites free of charge. The classical concert is sold separately.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• 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 building is partly step-free; it has a lift and accessible toilets. Movement within the Prague Castle grounds is mainly on foot; with 24 hours’ notice a special permit can be arranged to park a vehicle in the car park nearest the palace. Assistance dogs are permitted; other dogs are not.

Kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Stroller-friendly: not available
• Baby changing facilities

Educational programmes are available for schools and families; the family ticket costs CZK 910. The baby changing table is in the toilets on the ground floor. Prams are best left in the cloakroom.

Getting there & parking

There are three entrances to the Prague Castle grounds. Bicycles are not permitted on the grounds; vehicles may enter only with a special permit.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant
• Museum shop
• Coat check
• Lockers

Restaurant and café on the ground floor with an outdoor terrace and panoramic view (10:00–18:00); museum shop. Lockable lockers are available at the entrance on the ground floor; toilets, including accessible ones and a baby changing table, are on the ground floor. Prams are best left in the cloakroom.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

The palace offers eleven halls for hire for weddings, private and corporate events, cultural events and filming.

Plan your visit