Speculum Alchemiae
A tour of an alchemist's study and workshop from the time of Rudolf II, underground in one of Prague's oldest houses on Haštalská Street.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
House No. 795 on Haštalská Street is one of the oldest houses in Prague. According to the operator, the first written references to buildings on this site go back as far as the year 900. It stood on the long-distance trade route Via Grande, and in the 15th century, according to surviving accounts, it housed a herbal pharmacy where alchemists sold healing ointments, potions and elixirs.
In the 16th century Emperor Rudolf II set up his alchemical laboratory in the house, and leading alchemists of the age worked there at his invitation. When the workshop was discovered, three underground passages were found beneath the house which, according to the operator, led to Prague Castle, to the Old Town Hall and beyond the city gates. The house was badly damaged in the great fire of the Jewish Town in 1689 and was rebuilt in the Baroque style.
At the end of the 19th century, during the clearance of the Jewish Town, the house was left out of the demolition for reasons that are not known. The alchemical workshop was discovered during the reconstruction of the house, and today it can be visited on a short guided tour with commentary, which introduces the activities of the alchemists and the fields that today's scientific disciplines build on.
Highlights
- Alchemist's study from the time of Rudolf II
- Alchemical workshop in the underground catacombs
- One of the oldest houses in Prague
- Guided tours with commentary every half hour
Admission & discounts
| Adults | 200 Kč |
|---|---|
| Reduced | 150 Kčstudents aged 15–26 with a valid student card, and seniors aged 65 and over |
| Children & teens | 70 KčChildren's ticket; the website does not state an age limit. |
| Seniors | 150 KčFrom age 65 |
| Students & apprentices | 150 KčAges 15–26, with a valid student card |
| Groups | –A special offer can be arranged for larger groups. |
| Families | 500 Kč2 adults and 2 children under 15 |
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
According to visitor guides, the underground rooms can be reached only by a spiral staircase.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
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
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 30 min |
|---|---|
| Good to know | The visit includes a tour of the alchemist's study and the alchemical workshop in the underground catacombs. The operator recommends booking the tour in Czech in advance; it accepts only binding reservations. |
