Muzeum Karla Zemana
Interactive museum in Malá Strana presenting the work of filmmaker Karel Zeman and showing how his famous film tricks were made.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Karel Zeman Museum opened on 6 October 2012 in Malá Strana, near Charles Bridge, in the Saxon Court (Saský dvůr). It was established on the initiative of graphic designer Jakub Fabel and filmmaker Ondřej Beránek, in cooperation with Zeman’s family, especially his daughter Ludmila Zemanová. It became the first permanent exhibition space in the Czech Republic to focus systematically on film-making and film craft. Since 2015 it has been a member of the Association of Museums and Galleries of the Czech Republic, and it has received two professional awards.
The exhibition is designed as a series of small film studios and presents Zeman’s work in chronological order. After an introduction to the director’s life and works, sections follow devoted to the films Cesta do pravěku, Vynález zkázy and Baron Prášil, and the conclusion is devoted to his later films. Visitors can try out the tricks themselves, for example flying on a cannonball, steering a submarine, or making a short animation on an animation table.
In recent years the exhibition has been supplemented by an interactive Baron Prášil set with green-screen technology, original film puppets and a model of a scene with a mammoth. The museum is also involved in the digital restoration of Zeman’s films in the project Čistíme svět fantazie (Cleaning the World of Fantasy), and offers accompanying programmes for children and adults.
Highlights
- Interactive exhibition in the style of film studios
- Trying out film tricks from Cesta do pravěku, Vynález zkázy and Baron Prášil
- Original film puppets, for example the brontosaurus from Cesta do pravěku
- Animation table where visitors can make their own short film
- Exhibition adapted for visitors with hearing and visual impairments
Permanent exhibition
- Stálá expozice Muzea Karla Zemana – The interactive exhibition in the style of film studios takes visitors through Zeman’s work, mainly the films Cesta do pravěku, Vynález zkázy and Baron Prášil, and lets them try out film tricks.
- Founded
- 2012
- Operated by
- Muzeum Karla Zemana z.ú.
- Director
- Lenka Priknerová (managing director)
Admission & discounts
| Adults | 300 Kč |
|---|---|
| Reduced | 190 Kčchildren under 18, students up to 26, seniors over 65, and holders of ZTP and ZTP/P cards |
| Children & teens | 190 KčChildren under 18; children up to 1 metre in height, when accompanied, enter free. |
| Seniors | 190 KčSeniors over 65. |
| Visitors with disabilities | 190 Kčcompanion free · ZTP and ZTP/P; a carer accompanying the person (manipulační osoba) enters free. |
| Students & apprentices | 190 KčStudents up to 26. |
| Groups (11+ people) | 250 Kč per personAdult groups of more than 10 people; visits by groups of 10 or more must be booked in advance. |
| Families | 590 KčFamily of three (up to 2 adults); family of four CZK 690, family of five CZK 790. |
| Family ticket – family of four (up to 2 adults) | 690 Kč |
| Family ticket – family of five (up to 2 adults) | 790 Kč |
| School and other children’s groups (price per child) | 110 KčOne supervising teacher free for every started group of 10 children. |
Tickets bought online are 10% cheaper. The Prague Visitor Pass gives free admission, the Prague Card and Cool Pass include admission, and AMG members enter free. A surcharge for a guided tour in Czech: school groups (up to 15 children) CZK 400, individuals and other groups (1–15 people) CZK 700; in English CZK 800.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
According to the operator, the museum is fully accessible. Visitors with visual impairments can request a tactile plan, high-contrast texts and a Braille game for children at the ticket desk; the exhibition has light guide lines, floor strips and tactile exhibits. The video content of the exhibition, with translation into Czech Sign Language, loads via a QR code. Entry is possible only with a guide dog or a small dog carried in a bag.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Family ticket | 590 Kč · Family of three (up to 2 adults); family of four CZK 690, family of five CZK 790. |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
- Hands-on stations
- Stroller-friendly
- Kids’ birthday parties
Motivational games are free for children: Cesta do pravěku for children aged 4 to 7 and Vynález zkázy for children aged 7 to 12. The museum also offers animation clubs and workshops, creative workshops, holiday camps and birthday parties. The exhibition is accessible with a pushchair, but entry with a pushchair depends on the current number of visitors.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Malostranské náměstí
Trams no. 12, 15, 20, 22 and 23 and bus no. 194 to the Malostranské náměstí stop; metro to Malostranská station.
Navigation routes from the Malostranské náměstí tram stop and from Malostranská metro station, including an audio version, can be downloaded from the website.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Museum shop
- Wi-Fi
Free WiFi is available throughout the exhibition, which can be used, for example, to load the QR codes. Museum shop (also online).
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | yes (CS, EN, DE, ES, JA, ZH, FR, IT) |
| School programs | yes |
| Photography | Visitors can try out the film tricks with their own camera or phone. |
| Good to know | The audio guide (an adult route and a game route for children) is started via the TourStories app by scanning a QR code in the exhibition. Guided tours are led by film science students and graduates, mainly in Czech or English, and must be booked by email at least 14 days in advance. Groups of 10 or more must book their visit in advance. |
