Muzeum Bedřicha Smetany
A museum in the Neo-Renaissance building by Charles Bridge presenting the life and work of the composer Bedřich Smetana; part of the National Museum.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Bedřich Smetana Museum was founded in 1926 by the Committee for the Erection of a Monument to Bedřich Smetana, and from 1931 by the Bedřich Smetana Society. The collections were initially housed at the Institute of Musicology of Charles University. The building in which the museum is still located was obtained only in 1935, and the permanent exhibition was opened to the public on 12 May 1936 in the presence of President Edvard Beneš.
The museum is housed in the former Old Town Waterworks, which the architect Antonín Wiehl built in 1883–1884 on the site of the original Old Town mills. The rich sgraffito decoration, based on designs by Josef Ženíšek and Mikoláš Aleš, is among the most beautiful Neo-Renaissance buildings in Prague, and the building offers a view of the Vltava and the panorama of Prague Castle.
After the war, in 1952, the museum became an independent state institution; in 1958–1975 it belonged to the Památník národního písemnictví (Museum of National Literature), and since 1976 it has been part of the Museum of Czech Music at the National Museum. The present exhibition on the life and work of Bedřich Smetana opened in 1998. The museum also manages the memorial in Jabkenice, where Smetana lived.
Highlights
- Permanent exhibition on the life and work of the founder of Czech national music
- Neo-Renaissance building of the former Old Town Waterworks with sgraffito decoration
- View of the Vltava, Charles Bridge and Prague Castle
- Collections documenting Smetana's compositions and the fate of his works at home and abroad
Permanent exhibition
- Bedřich Smetana (1824–1884) – The permanent exhibition introduces the life and work of the founder of Czech national music and the fate of his works; its present form opened in 1998.
- Founded
- 1926
- Operated by
- Národní muzeum (České muzeum hudby)
Admission & discounts
| Adults | 70 Kč |
|---|---|
| Reduced | 50 Kčseniors from 65, young people aged 15–18, holders of ISIC and ITIC cards, secondary and university students up to 26 |
| Children & teens | 50 Kčfree up to age 14 · Children under 15 enter free only when accompanied by an adult. |
| Seniors | 50 KčReduced admission from age 65. |
| Visitors with disabilities | freecompanion free · Holders of ZTP and ZTP/P cards enter free (tickets from the ticket office only); for ZTP/P including one companion. |
| Students & apprentices | 50 KčSecondary and university students up to 26; holders of ISIC and ITIC cards. |
| Groups | 30 Kč per personSchool groups without a guide (pupils and students aged 15–26) pay CZK 30 per person; up to 3 accompanying teachers enter free. A visit to the exhibition requires prior booking. |
| Guided tour for a school group (group price, valid on weekdays by prior booking) | 400 KčStudents aged 15–26 pay this only together with the ticket at CZK 30 per person. |
Free admission: Free admission days to National Museum buildings in 2026: 1 November and 6 December (not valid for the Children's Museum, the Czech Press Photo exhibition or the Palacký and Ježek memorials, for example).
The e-ticket allows one-time entry within 30 days of purchase. Free admission (at the ticket office only) is also granted to holders of ICOM, Společnost NM and Prague Card – CoolPass cards. A guided tour for the public is possible only for groups of 10 or more people on weekdays, by prior booking: admission ticket + CZK 70 per person in Czech, + CZK 90 per person in English or German.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: not available
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- 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 not step-free; the exhibition is on an upper floor.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Staroměstská
Metro line A, Staroměstská station; trams 17 and 18, stops Staroměstská and Karlovy lázně.
Amenities & dining
- Museum shop
- Coat check
The cloakroom on the upper floor is free for visitors. The shop on the ground floor offers publications on Smetana, exhibition guides, recordings of his works, postcards and other items.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
The building can be rented, especially for chamber concerts.
Inquiries & detailsPlan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Photography | Photography and filming for non-commercial purposes, without flash and tripod, are included in the admission price. |
| Good to know | Guided tours take place only for groups and school parties on weekdays, after prior booking at mbs@nm.cz or by telephone on 222 220 082. Educational programmes for schools are available only in Czech. |
