Techmania
Interactive science centre in the former Škoda halls, with exhibitions on science and technology, a 3D planetarium, science shows and a unique trolleybus.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Techmania Science Center was established on the initiative of the Regional Technical Museum public benefit company, founded in 2005. It first opened to the public on 4 November 2008, and the science centre building received the title Building of the Year of the Plzeň Region. The first 3D planetarium in the Czech Republic was added later. For the tenth anniversary in 2018, nearly 1.4 million visitors came to Techmania. Today the founder is the Plzeň Region, and the University of West Bohemia remains a strategic partner.
The site is housed in the industrial halls of the Škoda works in Plzeň. The monolithic reinforced concrete structure was built in 1917 by the firm Müller & Kapsa to a design by Professor Ludwig Tremmel, and for a century it produced naval guns, locomotives and giant gears. The exhibition “150 let průmyslu v Plzni” (150 years of industry in Plzeň) also recalls this industrial heritage, with the oldest surviving locomotive built in Plzeň, a single-cylinder steam engine, and the only surviving Škoda 3Tr3 trolleybus from 1947, which Škoda Transportation donated to the museum.
The exhibitions let visitors discover natural laws, technology and a sustainable world through play and their own experiments. The offer includes science shows, laboratories, a makerspace, Science On a Sphere projections and a 3D planetarium with a dome 14 metres in diameter. Techmania is also the national coordinator of the Noc vědců (Night of Scientists) event, and runs clubs, workshops and educational programmes for schools.
Highlights
- Interactive exhibitions Vesmír, Udržitelný svět and 150 let průmyslu v Plzni
- 3D planetarium with a 14-metre dome and 90 seats
- Science shows: Tesla transformer, liquid nitrogen, fire tornado, steam engine
- Only surviving Škoda 3Tr3 trolleybus from 1947
- Oldest surviving locomotive built in Plzeň
- 10-metre slide to experience gravity
Permanent exhibitions
- Expozice Vesmír – Visitors can try out a spacesuit, a gyroscope, touching a tornado and creating craters on the Moon. Recommended age is 6 and over.
- Udržitelný svět – Interactive exhibition on the history of planet Earth and humanity's relationship with nature: cleaning water and air, food chains and illegal interference with nature.
- 150 let průmyslu v Plzni – The exhibition recalls Plzeň's industrial heritage: the oldest surviving locomotive built in Plzeň, a steam engine and the only surviving trolleybus of the 3Tr3 series.
- Founded
- 2005
- Operated by
- Techmania Science Center o.p.s.
- Director
- Ing. Jiří Královec
Admission & discounts
| Adults | 280 Kč |
|---|---|
| Children & teens | 280 Kčfree up to age 3 · Children aged 4 and over pay the basic admission; children up to and including age 3 enter free. |
| Seniors | 280 KčSeniors pay the basic admission. |
| Visitors with disabilities | 280 Kčcompanion free · Holders of a ZTP/P card pay the basic admission; their companion enters free. |
| Students & apprentices | 280 KčStudents pay the basic admission. |
| Groups (11+ people) | 240 Kč per personGroup admission for groups of more than 10 people. School groups: pupil CZK 170; teacher free upon proof of teaching profession. |
| Families | 1,040 KčFamily admission for 4 people, including at least 1 child. For 5 people (at least 2 children) it costs CZK 1,140; for 6 people (at least 3 children) CZK 1,240. |
| Family admission for 5 people (at least 2 children) | 1,140 Kč |
| Family admission for 6 people (at least 3 children) | 1,240 Kč |
| Personal permanent pass (valid 1 year) | 840 KčUnlimited entries to the exhibitions and to screenings in the 3D planetarium for the duration of validity. |
| Family permanent pass for 4 people (valid 1 year) | 3,120 KčFor 5 people CZK 3,420; for 6 people CZK 3,720. |
| Reservation of seats for a screening | 30 KčAll screenings are included in the ticket price; the fee only secures specific seats. |
Prices are valid from 1 May 2024 until further notice. The basic admission covers the exhibitions, science shows and screenings in the 3D planetarium. Teachers with confirmation of their teaching profession enter free, even on private visits.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: no information
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
There are reserved spaces for wheelchair users in car park P1. Animals are not allowed, except assistance dogs.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Time needed | approx. 3 hrs |
|---|---|
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 3 |
| Family ticket | 1,040 Kč · Family admission for 4 people, including at least 1 child. For 5 people (at least 2 children) it costs CZK 1,140; for 6 people (at least 3 children) CZK 1,240. |
- Family tours & workshops
- Hands-on stations
- Kids’ birthday parties
Techmania focuses on families with children and school groups; most exhibits are interactive. For some exhibitions an age of 6 and over is recommended. Thematic workshops for the public and birthday celebrations are held.
Getting there & parking
By car
Paid parking
There are three car parks at the science centre (P1, P2 with covered spaces, and P3). All-day parking costs CZK 100, payable at the exits or at a machine; outside opening hours parking on the grounds is prohibited. Buses pay CZK 150 per day.
- Accessible parking
The website offers separate directions for arrival from the main railway station and from the CAN bus station.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Restaurant
- Coat check
- Lockers
The restaurant overlooking the exhibition hall is open all day and can be entered without a ticket; the menu always includes at least one gluten-free dish. The entrance hall has cloakrooms and lockable boxes. The website mentions Wi-Fi only for the rented meeting room.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Private parties
- Corporate events
A fully equipped meeting room with Wi-Fi and the 3D planetarium spaces are available for hire for conferences, training courses and presentations; hire includes admission to the exhibitions. Birthday celebrations are also offered.
Inquiries & detailsPlan your visit
| School programs | yes |
|---|---|
| Photography | Photography and filming are permitted in the exhibitions; they are prohibited in the planetarium screening hall and the 3D Cinema. |
| Good to know | Visitors explore the exhibitions independently, without a guide; science shows and the accompanying programme take place according to the daily schedule. The recommended visit time is at least 3 hours. Children under 15 may enter the grounds only accompanied by a person aged 18 or over. School groups must book in advance. |
