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The National Technical Museum in Prague is definitely worth visiting. Despite the fact that l, personally didn’t like Prague much (unlike Federico), I found a few things l did enjoy doing. Hands down, the highlight of Prague for me was a visit to the Nadroni Technicke Muzeum (National Technical Museum) adjacent to the famous Letna Park.
Imagine my surprise when we spent over 5 hours discovering everything related to the history of technology in the Czech Republic. Had hunger not gotten a hold of us, I’m sure we could have stayed longer. The Technické Muzeum is spread out over 6 floors, including 3 below ground. Deceptively small from the outside, it is a mecca for, not just techno geeks, but everybody. This post is image heavy, so be warned :-).
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National Technical Museum (Prague)
National Technical Museum Visit: Something for everyone
We did quite a bit of Prague sightseeing, but l feel this tech museum, which has to be one of the best museums in Prague is unfortunately not on people’s radar, which is a shame. We might have missed it as well, but the close proximity to our rental lodging (a great place in Praha 7 to stay by the way) made it desirable and l was curious to see the old motorcycles.
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Tech Museum Prague: a little history
The Nadroni Technicke Muzeum was established in 1908. The first collections came from the professional engineering school which dates back to 1717. It is the largest museum dedicated to preserving the history of technology in the Czech Republic from the second half of the 19th century and after. I definitely recommend picking up a map upon entrance and then starting from your major interest and working backwards which is what we should have done. We were running out of time by the time we got to the transport section after having spent so much time in the exhibitions that were not as exciting to us.
I am going to highlight what we loved most about the tech museum. In addition to these, there were sections such as the ones below that we checked out briefly.
- Chemistry around us. This had works of famous Czech chemists like Otto Wichterle, the inventor of soft contact lenses who won a Nobel prize for his work in 1959. As a pharmacist, it was interesting seeing his “lab”.
- Technology in Toys – we spent very little time here. There were a lot of toys and l imagine any parent would have a hard time pulling their kids away from here.
- Merkur Playroom – I was at a loss. I had never heard of this, but it seemed like Lego like toys. Something else the parents traveling with kids would love.
- Mining – Realistic looking coal mine set-up spread out over 3800 square feet. This part can only be toured with a guide and a separate time specific pass given. We never got to do that, and l would have liked to.
- Architecture, Construction and Design – variety of styles represented here, including modernism, cubism and prefab housing projects. I actually liked this part. The models were very cool.
- Television Studio – I was so sad we didn’t get to see this. There was some sort of lecture or meeting and so it was closed to the public for the day. It would have been fantastic to see how a studio operates. Visitors can play at being newscasters, meteorologists and even film with the Sony equipment as cameramen.
- Measurement of time – there were sundials, hourglasses, huge clocks and every possible way of telling time. That was cool
- Astronomy – Big Bang Theory stuff that is a bit over my head. Astronomy geeks for sure would be enthralled for hours in there. It was a huge room and the oldest device in there almost 5000 years old.
- Household Appliances. This room was in a huge wing. It had old kitchens, fridges, washing machines, ovens, hoovers, pretty much everything that is used in the house. It was interesting to see the really bold colors of yesteryear.. pinks, yellows, lime green. I had a blast in the Bakelite section. I had a friend who collected them and she would have loved that space, old telephones, radio, shaving kits..it just seemed to go on and on!
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Technisches Museum: our favorites
Printing:
Everything you’ve always wanted to know about printing, and then some. The presses show how a newspaper is made from beginning to end. The first printing tablet. The best part about the technical museum is that English is one of the 3 languages on every display plaque, so you get to really understand what you’re looking at. There is no need for headphones and you can go at your own pace. The autobiography of Benjamin Franklin is one of my favorite books and it was cool to picture his life.
Photography:
Evolution of cameras, from analog to digital. There were also setups of photo studios and costumes. I actually lost track of Federico in here, finally gave up, and caught up with him later :-).
Transport: (Planes, Trains, and Automobiles)
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By far, our favorite section. We should have started from here (lower 3 floors) and then worked our way up. This was a mecca for everything transport related. They had, not just Czech produced products, but also machines made in other countries that were imported and used there. I could have spent the whole day just admiring all those planes, trains and automobiles! There had to be at least 100 bicycles alone on display with collector jerseys and at least the same number of motorcycles, which as a former rider, was of particular interest.
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It’s too bad that the Nàrodní Technické Muzeum only gets a quarter-million visitors a year. It is easily the best museum in Prague in my opinion. Is the technical museum worth visiting? Most definitely!!! As far as Prague sightseeing, It’s still off the beaten track, so you have the space practically to yourself. The exhibits are top-notch and as said prior, there is definitely something for everyone.
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Tips for visiting Technické Muzeum Praha:
- Go on a full stomach. You will be there a while :-). There is a cafe there, but it would take time away from seeing more things.
- Wear comfortable shoes. There’s a lot of walking and stairs. No elevators that l saw.
- Get a map and start with your favorites so in case you run out of time, you have seen the best bits.
- You might consider splitting up if you have separate interests and then meet up at a mutually decided point. The technology museum is pretty big, no use dragging your husband to the sewing machine room when they would rather be admiring the bicycles :-).
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Technical Museum Prague opening hours:
Tuesday – Sunday 9AM – 6PM
Closed Mondays
Admission Price for Technisches museum:
220CZK (~$9.70) Full price
100CZK for children 6-15, people over 65 years & students up to 26 years old
Children under 6 years have free entry
Surcharge for the Ore and Coal Mine tour is 50 CZK (full) and 30CZK reduced.
Note that there are also 3 admissions within 6 months tickets which costs 460 CZK with the reduced ticket costing 230 CZK. I wondered about that when we were purchasing our tickets, but after visiting, I can understand why it might be more economical to get that. There is a lot to see at this Prague museum.
Národní Technické Muzeum Address:
Kostelní 42
170 78 Praha 7
Česká Republika
It sits behind the world famous Letna Park (just a few minutes walk from the beer garden).
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National Technical Museum Prague:
Our opinion? A must visit. There is something for everyone! If you visit, I advise starting from the bottom with the trains, cars and motorbikes and then moving on to the top with the television era and household items. Definitely the best museum in Prague in our opinion.
Have you been to Prague? If so.. did you visit any museums that you think were better than the national Technical Museum? If so, please share. If not, would you like to visit this absolutely brilliant museum or would you rather stick to the usual Prague sightseeing and beer drinking?
Darn it!!!! I wish I had known about this when we were there last year. My son and I devour tech/sci museums. Oh, well- an excuse for a reprise visit.
I am absolutely positive you guys would have had a great time there. Hands down the best museum l have ever visited. Yes..an excuse to go back :-).
WOW! This is such an amazing place! I am sure I would love to spend several hours there – or at least that. The first image instantly sent me back in time and I couldn’t get out of that nostalgic mood – but I won’t complain. (Strangely nostalgic since I wasn’t around when those things existed, although you can still find those tiny ovens in some of the more remote Romanian village). Great find though and clearly a must visit!
Wow indeed! I have never been as impressed with anything as l was with this place. I really could go back at least a couple more times just to read some of the other stories on those plaques..how the museum acquired some of the pieces. I know what you mean about feeling nostalgic even though you weren’t even around those days. I guess it’s all those movies and TV shows. I would love to see a place where someone was still using those ovens. I can picture them in those houses like we saw at the village open air museum in Bucharest. It was definitely the best thing for me in Prague.
I can’t believe it. I felt like I was reading one of Annie’s posts rather than yours the way you described the whole museum and gave some history. We really loved visiting Prague, like Federico. If we ever go back we just might visit the museum because of your pictures and descriptions. We went to a lot of science and technology museums in the US and Canada when traveling with our kids and just loved them. Now we never seem to put them on our to see list. Hope you both are doing well.
Steve (posted from Paris airport heading to Yerevan)
new blog address – bergersadventures6.blogspot.com
Thanks for the new blog address.,,,definitely makes it easier :-). To say l was excited by the museum would be an understatement. I absolutely loved, loved, loved it. I was hesitating at first at the price and that it wouldn’t be worth it, and l was more than happy to be wrong. The guys on duty were laughing because l was gushing about it on the way out. I can totally see why they have the 3 visits in 6 month pass. You really need all that time and more to see it all. Amazing! I really do wish l knew why Prague was just so meh for me!
Ya know Kemkem; when looking at those kitchens I swear it seemed like something for my 2 year old niece LOL. She has a little play kitchen, bought by her Mimi. But we are in the USA where even kid kitchens are big, and apparently, give older skool Prague kitchens a run for their money. Pinned and Tweeted buddy.
Ryan
Hahahhaaa! Thanks for the laugh Ryan!!! It’s true, American sizes really do give those kitchens a run for the money. We are really spoiled nowadays. I am positive that your niece’s “kitchen” is at least the same size if not bigger.. :-). My friend was just saying you could still find those sizes in some parts of Romania. I feel terrible for complaint about the size of the kitchen in our flat now :-). Thanks for the comment.
Wow!
Noooo! Wow! had no idea, and I used to live in Prague. I love museums like this!
In my defence, I used to go the national museum, the art gallery, the theatres, and most of the musical performances! And anyway, just strolling through the backstreets of Prague was a museum in itself!
I’ll be going to Prague again in the winter, but it’s for my birthday celebration, and I’ve invited both the English side of the family, and the German side! I doubt we’ll have any time to visit. 🙁
Haha! I’ve said the same about L.A! 🙂 . I think it’s impossible to do it all. There is always something.. I completely understand and you definitely enjoyed what the city has to offer so you can’t regret anything. This museum is insanely good and if per chance you have time to go, I can guarantee there is something for everyone…everyone. First time l can say that for a museum l think. I absolutely loved this place :-).
I especially like the transport section. This is one museum that we haven’t visited in Prague. If you like this one I would recommend the Prague Public Transport Museum which focuses on trams and buses used through Prague’s history. Its also the starting point for historic Tram 91 which runs on weekends and goes through downtown. It’s run by retired tram operators who seem pretty happy reliving their jobs. Super cheap and lots of fun.
That was my favorite part. The transport section. Looking back, I wish we’d started from the basement and worked our way up. While l liked the other sections, such as the Bakelite and Photography, I really loved the old motorcycles and truly could have stayed all day. I used to collect bike pins and old signs so l really enjoyed it. I’ve done the public transport museum in London and liked it a lot. I would probably enjoy the one in Prague too :-).
Darn! I feel bummed that we totally overlooked this amazing museum and loved going through all of your photos. It’s fun to see the inventions of yesteryear, especially the household appliances section, and imagining the impact they made in the lives of ordinary people and families. And the transportation section is just awesome. I think we could have spent hours there too. If we make a return trip to Prague, this will definitely be at the top of my list! Anita
It’s funny. When we went and were in the household wing, I mentioned to Federico that you would absolutely love the museum. We both thought so! I swear this museum would make me consider going back to Prague. I really, really, loved it. There was something for everyone and so I was like..okay..that made sense that you could visit 3 times in 6 months for a little more. You need that time to see everything. Very impressive. It should be at the top of the list :-).