Poštovní muzeum Praha

About the museum

The Poštovní muzeum was established on 18 December 1918 by decision of the Ministry of Posts and Telegraphs and was the first museum institution of the newly formed Czechoslovakia. Its main initiator and first director was the postal official and historian Václav Dragoun. At first the museum had neither its own collections nor exhibition space, so it acquired objects from post offices, through donations and during negotiations about the division of archive holdings after the collapse of the monarchy.

It opened its first permanent exhibition in 1928 in Prague’s Karolinum, and in 1933 it moved to the former St Gabriel’s monastery in Smíchov. During the German occupation it was used for propaganda, and in September 1944 it closed to the public. After the war the exhibition was restored only gradually, and during the socialist period the museum served mainly ideological purposes. In the second half of the 1960s the situation improved; in 1976 it opened a large exhibition on the history of the postal service in Vyšší Brod.

The new Prague seat was created in Vávrův dům (Vávra’s House) in Prague 1, where an exhibition of stamp design opened in 1988. From 1993 the museum belonged to the state enterprise Česká pošta, and from 1 January 2026 it has been part of the National Technical Museum.

On 11 June 2026 the museum opened a new permanent exhibition, Technika na poště (Technology at the Post Office), at Vávrův mlýn, which is largely made up of objects transferred to the NTM in 1955. On the first floor of the historic building, the Biedermeier interiors with wall paintings by Josef Navrátil from 1847 are accessible again. The branch in Vyšší Brod remains a separate visitor site.

Highlights

• The exhibition Technology at the Post Office on postal services, telegraph, telephone and radio
• Siemens telephones and the personal telephone of Archduke Franz Ferdinand d’Este
• Spark transmitters and plaster models of post office buildings
• Biedermeier apartment with paintings by Josef Navrátil from 1847
• Alpine salon and theatre room with period stoves

Permanent exhibitions

• Technika na poště aneb Poštovní muzeum součástí Národního technického muzea – The exhibition on the ground floor of Vávrův mlýn brings together the history of the post, telecommunications and technology in the Czech lands, from the telegraph and telephone to the beginnings of radio. The section on stamp design is temporarily closed to visitors.
• Biedermeierovský byt s nástěnnými malbami Josefa Navrátila – On the first floor, the painted interiors from 1847 have been preserved, such as the Alpine salon and theatre room, complemented by period furniture.

Founded

1918

Operated by

Národní technické muzeum

Admission & discounts

Free admission: The first Sunday of the month (free entry to NTM buildings).

The ticket is for a single entry and is valid for all exhibitions. Holders of AMG and ICOM cards also enter free; this can only be claimed at the ticket office. Tickets can also be bought as gifts, valid for 365 days. Until 31 December 2026, holders of a ticket to the main building of the NTM or to the Postal Museum in Vyšší Brod receive a voucher for one free entry.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• 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 exhibitions are in a historic building and are therefore difficult to access for people with mobility impairments; the museum is preparing more detailed information.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The museum is located in Vávra’s House (Vávrův mlýn), near Štefánikův most.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit