České muzeum hudby

Over het museum

The České muzeum hudby (Czech Museum of Music) is a specialist department of the National Museum and is housed in a building in Malá Strana that stands on the site of a medieval Dominican monastery of St Mary Magdalene. The first written mention of the monastery dates from 1329; in 1420 the Hussites damaged it. In 1604 the Dominicans acquired the site, and in 1654–1709 they built a new baroque church to a design by Francesco Caratti. The large coat of arms of the Michna z Vacínova family, a member of which financed the building, still adorns the façade of the dome.

After the monastery was abolished in 1783, the building served, among other things, as the chief post office, and from 1848 as a gendarmerie barracks. During the rebuilding in 1851 it acquired a classicist appearance, additional storeys and galleries inside. After 1918 it housed the regional gendarmerie command, and after 1948 the State Central Archive.

In 2002–2004 an extensive reconstruction took place, which returned the building to its classicist appearance. The Czech Museum of Music, including its storerooms and research facilities, then moved into the so-called Karmelitský palác (Carmelite Palace), and it opened to the public in November 2004. The former nave of the church now forms a monumental hall for concerts and accompanying programmes.

The permanent exhibition “Man – Instrument – Music” presents about four hundred historical musical instruments, including a hammer piano associated with Mozart’s visit to Prague in 1787 and a violin by Niccolò Amati from around 1650. From 29 June to 31 December 2026 the museum is closed to the public because of the reconstruction of the dome lantern.

Hoogtepunten

• About four hundred historical musical instruments
• Hammer piano associated with Mozart’s visit to Prague in 1787
• Violin by Niccolò Amati from around 1650
• Baroque Church of St Mary Magdalene, designed by Francesco Caratti
• Monumental hall for concerts

Vaste collectie

• Člověk – nástroj – hudba – Permanent exhibition on the history of musical instruments with about four hundred exhibits. The museum is closed until the end of 2026.

Beheerder

Národní muzeum

Directie

Emanuele Gadaleta

Toegangsprijzen & kortingen

An online ticket is valid for a single entry for 30 days from purchase. Holders of ICOM cards, of the Society of the National Museum and of the Prague Card – CoolPass also enter free; this can only be claimed at the ticket office. The museum is closed until 31 December 2026.

Toegankelijkheid

• Deels rolstoeltoegankelijk
• Lift
• Aangepast toilet: geen informatie
• Gehandicaptenparkeerplaats: geen informatie
• Hulphonden welkom: geen informatie
• Tastmodellen / voelbare objecten: geen informatie
• Rondleidingen in gebarentaal: geen informatie
• Informatie in eenvoudige taal: geen informatie
• Audiodescriptie: geen informatie

The building is partly accessible for wheelchair users; a lift and a stair-climbing platform are available.

Kinderen & gezin

Erg geschikt voor kinderen & gezinnen

• Gezinsrondleidingen & workshops
• Kinderwagenvriendelijk
• Verschoonruimte
• Speeltuin / speelhoek

On the ground floor there is an unsupervised children’s corner and baby changing tables in both women’s and men’s toilets. A pushchair may be taken in, depending on its size, or left in the cloakroom. Children up to 15 enter free when accompanied by an adult.

Bereikbaarheid & parkeren

Service & horeca

• Café
• Museumwinkel
• Garderobe

On the ground floor there is a café with a music shop (open 10:00–19:00) and a free cloakroom. Publications and CDs can be bought at the ticket desk.

Evenementen & zaalverhuur

The museum is closed to the public until 31 December 2026 because of the reconstruction of the dome lantern.

Je bezoek plannen