Lots of wonderful works graphics, painting. arts and crafts and sculpture is concentrated in numerous architectural monuments of the Czech capital, which are part of the National Gallery in Prague.
As part of the National Gallery:
A single ticket is valid for all objects:
- Standard - 300 CZK
- Discount - 150 kroons
Formation and development of the gallery
The history of the country's largest collection of works visual arts is over two centuries old. Its beginning was laid on February 5, 1796, when a group of art lovers organized the Patriotic Society of Friends of Art, the purpose of which was to preserve ancient samples of paintings, drawings and sculptures and select the best contemporary works art.
One of the declared main tasks of the Society was the artistic and aesthetic education and familiarization with the art of the widest possible strata of the population. For this purpose, the direct predecessor of the modern largest national collection, the Czech-Moravian Zemstvo Gallery, was created. Since 1918, she became the main art museum countries.
In 1902, the society created a second gallery - Modern Art of the Czech Kingdom, which included a personal collection works of art Emperor Franz Joseph I. In 1942, the collections of these two galleries were merged into one. After joining a collection of graphics National Museum and the University Library in 1949, the modern National Gallery.
Gallery exposition structure
An extensive collection of paintings, graphics and sculpture is now housed in ten buildings located in Prague and beyond. In the halls of each branch, collections of works of art are exhibited, united by geographical, genre, chronological or stylistic and author's characteristics.
The complex of the former presents the medieval art of Central Europe and Bohemia. The interior of the monastery of the Clares of the 14th century. perfectly matches the exposition unfolded here. Among the numerous interesting exhibits here are the Trebon and Vyshebrodsky altars, the works of Theodoric. A. Altdorfer, L. Cranach the Elder.
In Hradcany, the museum collection includes works of art from Antiquity to the heyday of the Baroque. On the ground floor, paintings by Tuscan masters (B. Daddi, L. Monaco), the Venetian school (B. Vivarini), masterpieces of mannerism (A. Aliori, A. Bronzino) are exhibited. A collection of icons from the countries of Eastern Europe is also deployed here. Paintings by El Greco, Goya, Rubens and other painters of the XVI-XVIII are exhibited on the second floor.
In (Small Schwarzenberg) the art of the Czech Republic, Austria and Germany of the period of classicism and romanticism of the 19th century is demonstrated. Among the exhibits are sculptures and paintings by A. Masek, J. Navratil, K. D. Friedrich, K. Rottman and other masters.
In the main building of the Renaissance, deployed permanent exhibition"Baroque in the Czech Republic". Engravings and paintings by B. Spranger, P. Brandl, J. Merchant, sculpture by B. Brown and F. M. Brokoff are demonstrated in its halls. In the basement of the building there is an exposition dedicated to decorative and applied arts, as well as a collection of weapons.
Since 2010, more than 13.5 thousand exhibits have been placed in the collection of art of the peoples of the East. Islamic ceramics and metal, Japanese prints and books, Chinese archaic art, Tibetan Buddhist statues - these and many other valuable exhibits form the basis of the collection. On the second floor of the palace ancient art Mesopotamia, Egypt, Nubia, Assyria and many other countries and regions.
The building of the former stables of the Kinsky Palace houses an extensive collection of engravings and drawings. The fund of the collection is more than 320 thousand copies of art works of European peoples of the Middle Ages to the present day.
Modern art of the XX-XXI centuries. exhibited at the Exhibition Palace on Dukelski Heroes Street. Approximately 2,000 works of art are displayed on an area of 13,500 m2. Among them are paintings by P. Picasso, O. Renoir, J. Braque, N. Klimt and many other masterpieces.
For the organization of temporary exhibitions the Gallery uses the area. Two of its buildings are located outside of Prague. The first is Lottihouse on Masaryk Square in Karvina Fristatt. There is a small exhibition of 50 paintings and sculptures dedicated to Czech art. early XIX in. Zdar Castle nad Sazavou keeps a collection of baroque art within its walls.
The numerous and varied programs of the National Gallery's educational department help adults and children to better understand and appreciate the enduring value of the world's fine arts.
Prague is a city with a high concentration interesting places, works of art and historical sights. Practically every house, every lane, every square in the historical center has rich history and his collection of "interesting things". But if you want to get to know the Czech capital even better and get acquainted with its masterpieces, visit the museums of Prague. There are plenty of them in Prague. And connoisseurs of art, and lovers of history, and those looking for unusual sights - everyone will be able to find something interesting for themselves. We have collected the most popular and interesting museums Prague - choose and travel with benefit and pleasure!
Art galleries: where to experience art in Prague
National Gallery in Prague
The National Gallery in Prague is the second oldest gallery Europe (only the Louvre is older!) The collection of fine arts is extensive and is located in several ancient palaces in different parts of Prague. In fact, this is a whole complex of museums, and in each of them not only the exposition is of interest, but also the building itself. Here is where they are located exhibition halls National Gallery in Prague: Kinsky Palace, St. Anezhka Czech, Salmovsky Palace, Schwarzenberg Palace, Sternberg Palace, Wallenstein Manege, Exhibition Palace. Let's talk about some of these places separately.
Goltz-Kinski Palace (Palác Kinských)
The exquisite rococo building stands out for its intricate decoration, ornate pink façade and unusual location (the building is slightly "pushed" forward compared to neighboring buildings). We talk more about it in. The Goltz-Kinsky Palace hosts exhibitions of drawings and graphics. Also located here is the National Gallery Information Centre, a café and a museum shop.
Address: Staroměstské náměstí 12, Prague 1 - Staré Město, 110 00
Working mode: Tue-Sun. 10.00-18.00
Website: http://www.ngprague.cz
Monastery of St. Anezhka Czech, National Gallery in Prague (Klášter sv. Anežky České)
The Gothic architectural complex was built in the 13th century for a monastery founded by St. Anezka of Bohemia, who came from the princely family of the Přemyslids. We also talk about the history of the monastery and the knightly order created under it in the story of the Crusader Square in. Today, the buildings of the monastery house an exposition of the National Gallery of Prague, which presents Czech and European art of the Middle Ages.
Working mode: Tue-Sun. 10.00-12.00
Address: Anežská 12, Prague 1 - Staré Město, 110 00
Website: http://www.ngprague.cz
Sternberg Palace in Hradcany
The beautiful Sternberg Palace also houses the exposition of the National Gallery. This is quite natural, because the wealthy Sternberg family, who owned the palace from the end of the 16th century until the end of World War II, always patronized art. Josef Sternberg has collected an excellent collection of paintings famous artists. And today in the exposition of the museum you can see the works of Rembrandt, Goya, Rubens, El Greco and other masters.
The Sternberg Palace is located on Gradchanskaya Square, but it is well “hidden” - to get inside, you need to go through the left wing of the Archbishop's Palace.
Working mode
Address:
Website: http://www.ngprague.cz
Salmovsky palace (Salmovský palác)
Another palace that sheltered the expositions of the National Gallery of Prague is Salmovsky. It is also located on Hradchanskaya Square. And it was also once owned by representatives of the Sternberg family - a large latin letter S and the coat of arms in the form of a crown still remind of the family. Later, the palace changed several owners. Well, today in this building are art exhibitions National Gallery.
Working mode: Tue-Sun. 10.00 – 18.00 (Monday closed).
Children under 18 and students under 26 enter free. Adult ticket - 300 kroons, reduced - 150 kroons.
Address: Hradčanské náměstí 1, Prague 1 – Hradčany, 110 00
Website: http://www.ngprague.cz
Schwarzenberg Palace (National Gallery, Schwarzenberský palác)
Another beautiful palace on Hradcany Square, and again the National Gallery of Prague! An amazing Renaissance building, completely covered with sgraffito paintings, is the Schwarzenberg Palace. It is unique in that it largely retained its original appearance, characteristic of the Renaissance. The building was created in the middle of the 16th century, and initially it belonged to the Lobkovitsky family. And in the 18th century the palace passed into the possession of rich family Schwarzenberg, who gave it its current name.
Working mode: Tue-Sun. 10.00 – 18.00 (Monday closed).
Children under 18 and students under 26 enter free. Adult ticket - 300 kroons, reduced - 150 kroons.
Address: Hradčanské náměstí 2, Prague 1 – Hradčany, 110 00
Website: http://www.ngprague.cz
Exhibition Palace (Museum of Modern Art, Fair Palace, Veletržní palác)
In old Prague there is a place (and not even one!), which also presents contemporary art. The unusual name of this building is due to the fact that once there were fairs of samples of goods. The functionalist building was erected in the 30s of the XX century, then reconstructed after a big fire in 1974. Today it houses an exhibition of works contemporary art Prague National Gallery.
Address: Dukelskych hrdinů 47, Prague 7 - Holešovice, 170 00.
Website: www.ngprague.cz
Working mode: Tue-Sun. 10.00 – 18.00; mon. day off.
Ticket price: 300 kroons, reduced 150 kroons.
Alphonse Mucha Museum (Muchovo muzeum)
A real gift for art nouveau fans. The exposition of the museum will help you get acquainted with the work of the legendary modernist, whose works adorn many of the sights of Prague. In the museum, you can not only look at Mucha's creations, but also "look" into his workshop, which is recreated using photographs and original furniture.
Address: Panská 7, Praha 1 - Nové Město, 11000
Website: http://www.mucha.cz
Prague Castle Picture Gallery
The art gallery, created by Emperor Rudolf II at the end of the 16th century, is located in the northern part of the second courtyard of the Prague Castle. The emperor was a passionate admirer and connoisseur of art and collected unique collection painting and sculpture. True, only an insignificant part of that collection has survived to our time - the Swedish troops, who plundered the Prague Castle in the middle of the 17th century, took away most of these valuables, and the other part was transported to Vienna when the Habsburgs began to rule the country. And yet today in the gallery of Prague Castle there is something to see. Today you can see paintings by Titian, Rubens, Veronese and many other famous European artists here.
Lapidarium of the National Museum
The name Lapidaria comes from the Latin lapis, meaning "stone". The fact is that sculptural masterpieces that once adorned the streets and squares of Prague are collected here. Here, the original monuments and sculptures are protected from the effects of nature. And the city itself today is decorated with their skillful copies. In particular, it is here that the originals of many sculptures of the Charles Bridge are kept.
House "At the Black Madonna" - Czech Cubist Museum
In the heart of the Old Place is a building that stands out both in its appearance and content. The house "At the Black Madonna" houses the Museum of Cubism, where you can see expositions of cubic paintings, statues, dishes and furniture. The delightful spiral staircase inside the house also deserves special attention. well and unusual name The house is connected with a small sculpture of the Virgin, located outside. This house, by the way, is part of ours.
Opening hours: Thursday 10.00 - 19.00, from Wednesday to Sunday - 10.00 - 18.00.
Address: no. 19, Ovocny trh, Prague 1
Website:
Kampa Museum (Museum of Modern Art)
History on the island of Kampa closely coexists with modernity. Once upon a time, the so-called Owl's mills were located in this building (their owner was Vaclav by the name of Owl). And now in a picturesque park there is the Kampa Museum - a museum of modern art. The exhibits that you will see there may seem incomprehensible and contradictory, but they will definitely be remembered and hardly leave you indifferent. The exposition begins already in the courtyard of the museum: for example, it is hard not to notice the huge 6-meter "Chair on the Vltava". Nearby, by the river, there is a remarkable sculptural composition March of the Penguins across the Vltava River. True, small yellow figures “march” not through, but along the river and, moreover, glow in the dark. In the same place, in the park near the museum, you will not be able to pass by huge faceless babies cast in bronze. These are the creations of the sculptor David Cherny, who at one time made a lot of noise, like almost all the works of this author.
Address: U Sovových mlýnů 2, Praha 1 – Malá Strana, 118 00
Website: http://www.museumkampa.cz
Working mode: 10.00 – 18.00.
Ticket price: 220 kroons, preferential - 110 kroons, family - 340 kroons.
History museums in Prague: time travel
Prague Castle
Prague Castle is a unique castle complex created in the 9th century, cultural, spiritual and political center Czech Republic. Prague Castle is listed by UNESCO - the whole complex is a kind of museum and is of great historical and cultural value. In addition, inside the Prague Castle there are several different museums and interesting expositions:
- Prague Castle Picture Gallery(we already mentioned it above);
- Exposition "St. Treasures" in the Chapel of the Holy Cross(a unique treasury with the most valuable jewelry, relics, unique old textiles and other artifacts from);
- Exposition "History of Prague Castle" in the Old Royal Palace;
- Historical expositions in gunpowder Mihulka tower;
- Remodeled interiors Rozhemberg Palace;
- Historical expositions in the houses on the charming Golden street;
- Exposition of torture instruments in Daliborka tower;
- Toy Museum;
- Art collection in Lobkowicz Palace.
Detailed information about the opening hours, Prague Castle facilities, ticket prices, as well as tips for visiting the complex can be found on the description page.
Prague Tower Museum -Jindřišská věž tower
The ancient Gothic tower is part of the church of St. Gendrich. This is the highest bell tower in Prague, which also houses Prague Tower Museum and a restaurant. Being inside the Jindrish Tower, you can listen to amazing chimes - they play a beautiful melody every hour. The repertoire of these watches is so great that they say that no one has ever heard two identical compositions from them.
Address: Jindřišská, Praha 1 - Nové Město, 110 00
Website: http://www.jindrisskavez.cz
Opening hours: from November to March 10.00 - 18.00; from April to October 10.00 – 19.00.
Ticket price: 120 kroons, preferential - 80 kroons, family - 290 kroons.
Powder Tower
Inside the Gothic Powder Tower there is also a small museum where you can get acquainted with the history of Prague and the life of the royal court of the XIV century. In addition, a spiral staircase of 186 steps leads up to the observation deck of the tower, which offers a beautiful view of the Old Town.
Working mode: from November to February 10.00 – 18.00; in March and October 10.00 – 20.00; from April to September 10.00 – 22.00. Entry closes 30 minutes before closing.
Website: http://en.muzeumprahy.cz/199-the-powder-tower/
From the Powder Tower begins our fascinating audio walk with a guided tour "" - in it we tell a lot of interesting things about the tower and many other sights of the Old Town.
Strahov Monastery (Strahovský klášter)
On the territory of the ancient Strahov Monastery is located Literary Museum and Strahov Art Gallery with over 1500 paintings on display. In addition, the churches of St. Roch and the Ascension of the Virgin, as well as the famous monastery library, whose history goes back 800 years!
Working mode:
Picture gallery: 9.30 - 17.00, lunch break 11.30 - 12.00. Ticket price 120 kroons, concession ticket 60 kroons, family - 200 kroons. Children under 6 years old enter free of charge.
Library: 9.00 - 17.00, lunch break 12.00 - 13.00. Ticket price 100 kroons. Students under 27 years old - 50 kroons.
Address: Strahovské nádvoří 1/132, Praha 1 – Hradčany, 118 00
Website: http://www.strahovskyklaster.cz
In the Strahov Monastery, ours ends - in it we tell a lot interesting stories and curious facts about this and many other places in Prague.
Charles Bridge Museum (Museum Karlova mostu
Museum on Crusader Square, entirely dedicated to one of the main attractions of Prague. The exposition of the museum offers a glimpse into the history of construction, consider the layout of the structure, learn a lot interesting facts about its construction, as well as about its predecessor - the Judith Bridge. There is also a nice coffee shop in the building.
If you are traveling with an iPhone, we invite you to! In it you can hear a lot of interesting things about the history of the bridge, the amazing bridge towers and the statues that adorn it.
Military Museum in Prague (Army Museum, Armádní muzeum Žižkov)
The exposition of the Army Museum illustrates military history Czech Republic in the XX century, since the First World War. Here is a collection of weapons, military medals and orders, military uniforms, as well as historical photos, letters and many other exhibits that keep the memory of the history of the Czech state.
Address: U Památníku 2, Prague 3 – Žižkov, 130 05
Website: http://www.vhu.cz
Jewish Museum (Židovské muzeum)
Museum complex that tells about the history, culture, traditions and customs of the Jewish community of the Czech Republic. One of the oldest Jewish museums in the world with an extensive collection of 100,000 books and 40,000 religious items. The exposition is based on cult objects and artifacts collected by the Nazis during the Second World War in order to arrange a "Museum of non-existent peoples". The museum periodically hosts concerts and thematic exhibitions.
Address: U Stare skoly 1, Prague 1 – Josefov, 110 00
Website: http://www.jewishmuseum.cz
Museum expositions are also located in the following objects:
- Robert Guttmann Gallery (Praha 1, U Staré školy 3),
- Information and Reservation Center (Praha 1, Maiselova 15),
- Klaus Synagogue (Praha 1, U Starého hřbitova 3a),
- Maisel Synagogue (Praha 1, Maiselova 10),
- Ceremonial Hall (Praha 1, U Starého hřbitova 3a),
- Pinkas Synagogue (Praha 1, Široká 3),
- Spanish synagogue (Praha 1, Vězeňská 1),
- Ancient Jewish cemetery (Praha 1, Široká 3).
Museum of Communism (Muzeum komunismu)
The exposition of the museum will allow you to plunge into the era of the totalitarian regime, vividly reminding you of communist propaganda, the army, censorship and other aspects of life.
Working hours: 9.00-21.00
Ticket price: 190 kroons, reduced 150 kroons.
Address: Na Příkopě 10, Prague 1 – Nové Město, 110 00
Website: http://www.muzeumkomunismu.cz
Museums in Prague to help you broaden your horizons
National Technical Museum
National technical museum Prague has a rich history - it was founded in 1908. Since then, over many decades, it has accumulated its treasures - an interesting collection of exhibits that reveal developments in the engineering and technical fields, as well as in the field of astronomy, transport, various technologies, natural and exact sciences.
Address: Kostelní 42, Prague 7 - Holešovice, 170 00
Working mode: Tue-Fri. 9.00-17.30; Sat-Sun 10.00-18.00; mon. day off.
Ticket price: CZK 190, reduced CZK 90, family CZK 420.
Website: http://www.ntm.cz/en
National Museum
Beautiful neo-Renaissance building late XIX century, dominating the Wenceslas Square, is the main building of the National Museum of Prague. Until 2018, the building is undergoing a comprehensive reconstruction.
The National Museum is the main state museum Czech Republic, which owns five scientific institutes and museum complexes located in different parts of the city:
- Museum of Natural History;
- Historical Museum;
- Museum of Asian, African and American cultures Naprstek;
- Museum of Czech Music;
- Library of the National Museum with an exposition of the Museum of the book.
The largest National Museum in the Czech Republic presents a variety of collections that tell about the history of Bohemia and neighboring countries, as well as related to paleontology, zoology, ethnography, numismatics, culture and other areas.
Main building of the Museum(under renovation until 2018): Václavské náměstí 68, Praha 1 – Nové Město, 110
Naprstek Museum - Museum of Asian, African and American Cultures
The exposition of the museum, located on Bethlehem Square (Betlémské náměstí) in the Old Town, is an interesting ethnographic collection collected by the traveler Vojta Naprstek (whose name the museum is named after). In addition, the museum regularly lectures and educational programs. The exposition is part of the National Museum.
Address: Betlemske nam. 1, Prague 1 - Staré Město, 110 00
Website: http://www.nm.cz
Working mode: Tue-Sun. 10.00 - 18.00, closed on Monday.
Czech Museum of Music - Museum of Musical Instruments
The Music Museum in Prague is located in the baroque building of the former church of St. Mary Magdalene. The museum collection contains about 400 unique musical instruments each of which is of great value. In addition, concerts and thematic exhibitions are regularly held here. The Music Museum is part of the National Museum.
Address: Karmelitská 4, Praha 1 - Malá Strana, 118 00
Website: http://www.nm.cz
Museums in Prague dedicated to famous people
Franz Kafka Museum
The Franz Kafka Museum is located in a brick building of a former factory. This is one of the many places associated with the name of the famous writer of the 20th century, who was born, raised in Prague and spent most of his life here, the author of the works "The Trial", "The Castle" and many others. In the halls of the museum you will see manuscripts famous works, diaries of the writer, photographs related to his life. As well as bright audiovisual works based on the plots of Kafka's works.
Address: Cihelná 2b, Praha 1 - Malá Strana, 118 00
Website: http://www.kafkamuseum.cz
Opening hours: 10.00 - 18.00.
The ticket price is 200 kroons, the reduced ticket is 120 kroons, the family ticket is 540 kroons.
Antonin Dvorak Museum (Muzeum Antonina Dvořáka)
A museum dedicated to the famous Czech composer Antonin Dvořák is located in the Michna Summer Palace (Michnův letohrádek). It is part of the National Museum. The exposition tells about the life of the composer and his many travels, which Dvořák loved very much.
Address: Ke Karlovu 20, Praha 2 - Nové Město, 120 00
Website: http://www.nm.cz
Museum of Bedrich Smetana (Muzeum Bedricha Smetany)
The museum dedicated to the life and work of the great Czech composer Bedrich Smetana is located in a beautiful location on the banks of the Vltava, not far from Charles Bridge, in a neo-Renaissance building.
Address: Novotného lávka 1, Praha 1 - Staré Město, 110 00
Website: http://www.nm.cz
Museum of W. A. Mozart and the Dushekovs (Bertramka)
The great Mozart loved Prague very much, and Prague loved him. Here he was always waiting for a grateful audience, here he loved to visit and create. The exposition of the museum will be of interest to everyone who is interested in the life and work of the composer - here are his personal belongings, manuscripts, posters, documents, and even part of the musician's hair. Concerts are regularly held within the walls of the museum, allowing not only to remember the author, but also to enjoy his music. A visit to the museum will allow you not only to learn about the life of Mozart, but also to immerse yourself in his era. After all, the museum is located in an old manor with a beautiful park. Once it belonged to the Dusek couple, who often visited the composer when he came to Prague. By the way, it was here that he completed the famous opera Don Giovanni. BUT world premiere The opera was held at the Estates Theater in Prague (we tell you more about it in the tour of the Old Town with an audio guide).
Address: Mozartova 169, Praha 5 – Smíchov, 150 00
Website:
The history of the National Gallery began its report in February 1796, when, in Prague was created Society of Patriot Friends of Art. Its origins were the Kolovrats, Sternberks and Nostits as patriots from the ranks of the Czech nobility, as well as enlightened townspeople. This organization then established two important institutions: the Academy of Arts and first public art gallery in Prague.
Currently, the National Gallery has permanent exhibitions and organizes numerous exhibitions and cultural events.
Where are the main Prague expositions located?
- AT Sternber Palace on the Hradchany located collection of European art from antiquity to baroque. Here are works by Tintoretto, Ribera, El Greco, Rubens, Van Dyck and Rembrandt, as well as one of the most famous paintings Albrecht Dürer's "The Feast of the Rose Wreaths" ("The Feast of the Rosary").
- AT monastery of st. Agnes of Bohemia in Stary Mest located exposition of art of the Middle Ages and early renaissance from the Czech Republic and Central Europe. In the authentic setting of the first Clarisco monastery in Bohemia, probably founded in 1231 by St. Agnes of Bohemia, for example, unique panels from the workshop of Master Theodoric, as well as the painting “Madonna and Child” by Lucas Cranach are presented.
- At the Schwarzenberg Palace on the Gradchanskaya Square presented baroque art, for example, paintings by Hans von Aachen, Karl Škreta, Piotr Brandl and Jan Kupecki. Pay your attention to the graphic office with a unique collection of works by Vaclav Gollar and exposition of applied art of the Baroque era from the collection Museum of Decorative and Applied Arts.
- AT Exhibition Palace, in the first functionalist building in Prague, in 1928 the general public saw for the first time "Slavic epic" Alphonse Mucha, which is here to this day . Also presented here paintings, sculptures and applied arts by Czech and foreign artists of the 20th and 21st centuries. You will discover works by the French Impressionists, Gustav Klimt, Oskar Kokoscht, Edvard Munch, Egon Schiele and Joan Miro.
- On the Old Town Square in Palace of Kinsky, in the beautiful building in the Rococo style in Prague, presented art of Asia and the ancient Mediterranean.
… and two expositions outside of Prague
The National Gallery also produced two expositions outside of Prague. AT castle in Ždiar nad Sazava houses a collection of baroque art, and in Fristat Castle presented in Karvin Czech art 19th century.
The National Gallery organizes temporary exhibitions not only in the form of accompanying events to permanent exhibitions, but also in Wallenstein Arena on the Malaya Strana. The Manege is located in the park of the early Baroque palace, which was built for Albrecht of Waldstein by the Italian architects Andrea Spezza and Nicolo Sebregondi.
Hello friends. The National Gallery in Prague (Národní galerie v Praze) has absorbed magnificent pieces of art different countries from the end of the 19th century to the present day. This is one of the largest and most complete museums in Europe. The collections are divided by theme and are located in 6 different buildings in the city. Often tourists forget this fact and get confused. Today we will talk about what buildings the National Gallery consists of, where they are located and what can be seen in their collections.
Administrative district Prague 1, 7. Historical districts , , .
The buildings of the National Gallery in Prague are geographically located in different places cities, but not far from each other.
The gallery itself was created as an educational center. The history of its origin differs from museums in other countries and is closely connected with the history of the Czech Republic and the formation of national identity.
The initial idea and mission is to raise the spirit of the nation through art.
Today, the gallery positions itself as a research organization whose main task is to conduct fundamental and applied research and development, disseminate their results and educate.
The National Gallery in Prague is one of the largest museum collections in Europe.
History reference
Since the XI century, the Czech Republic was part of the Holy Roman Empire of the German nation - multinational state, founded in 962 by the king of the Eastern Franks Otto I.
From the middle of the 15th century, the imperial throne was occupied by representatives of the Habsburg dynasty, who consistently pursued a policy of German colonization of the Czech lands and support of Catholicism against the popular Reformation.
AT late XVIII century, the Czech Renaissance movement began. "Buditeli" (i.e. enlighteners) defended Czech language and tried through science, literature, theater to revive national identity Czechs.
The date of birth of the gallery is February 5, 1796. On this day, Count Franz Josef Sternberg and a group of prominent representatives of the local aristocracy and bourgeoisie created the Society of Patriotic Friends of Art.
“The society established two important cultural sites in Prague: the Academy of Fine Arts and the Art Gallery, which is the forerunner of the current National Gallery.”
In 1902, the collection of the Gallery of Modern Art of the Kingdom of Bohemia was added to the museum collection of the Society ( private collection Emperor Franz Joseph I of Habsburg, founded in 1901).
In 1918, the Society's Picture Gallery became the main art collection of the new state of Czechoslovakia.
Under the guidance of the collector and art critic Vincenz Kramář, the gallery developed dynamically until the beginning of the Second World War.
During the Nazi occupation, the museum's funds were transferred to the new National Gallery of the Czech Republic-Moravia.
The law of 1949 established the National Gallery of Prague in its current form.
6 gallery buildings
The permanent exposition of the museum occupies 6 buildings, each of which can be called a landmark of the capital.
In addition, temporary exhibitions are held:
- In the Wallenstein Manege
- Arena of Stary Grad
It presents European art from antiquity to the Baroque era.
The palace began to be built by Count Vaclav Sternberg around 1697 according to the design of Domenico Martinelli. In 1811, the Society of Patriotic Friends of Art purchased the palace from Leopold Sternberg, after which the building underwent the reconstruction necessary to turn it into a museum.
The Society's collections were opened to the public in 1814.
In the period after 1946 and in 2002-2003, the building was also significantly reconstructed.
The exposition contains a collection of works of the XIV-XVI centuries from the castle, which belonged to Archduke Franz Fridinand, who was killed in Sarajevo in 1914: old Tuscan masters (Lorenzo Monaco and others), Venetian school, masterpieces of Florentine mannerism.
The whole floor is occupied by the works of Italian, Spanish, French, Dutch masters of the 16th-18th centuries: Paulo Veronese, Elgreco, Francisco Goya, Peter Paul Rubens, Anthony van Dyck, Rembrandt, Frans Hals.
The exposition of German and Austrian art of the 16th - 18th centuries includes Albrecht Dürer's masterpiece of the Feast of the Rosary gallery. The canvas was painted in Venice in 1506, and later acquired and transported to Prague by Emperor Rudolf II.
Monastery of St. Agnes of Bohemia
In the monastery of St. Agnes of Bohemia, samples of medieval art from Bohemia and Central Europe are exhibited: the work of the master Theodoric, the master of the Třeboň altar.
The exposition is located in the original interiors of the first monastery of the Order of Claritines in Bohemia, founded in 1231 by St. Agnieszka of Czech, daughter of King Přemysl Ottokar I.
Salmovský Palace or Small Schwarzenberg
A neoclassical task appeared on the site where several aristocratic mansions stood and belonged to the Prague Archbishop V. Florentan, prince of the ancient German family of Sal-Salma. The palace was named after him.
Construction continued from 1800 to 1811, after which the palace was bought by Joseph Schwarzenberg and attached to his home-palace.
After World War II, the building was taken over by the state. It gradually fell into disrepair, until in 2004 it was given to the Prague National Gallery. In 2011, the reconstruction of the building was completed.
Salmowski Palace and Schwarzenberg Palace today stand close to each other.
In the Salm Palace, works Art XIX centuries are represented by the most significant works of painting and sculpture from the era of classicism to romanticism.
Palace Schwarzenberg
Allotted for painting in the Baroque style of the XVII - XVIII centuries, as well as the work of the court mannerists of the era of the reign of Emperor Rudolf II (1575 - 1611): Hans von Aachen, Bartholomeus Spranger, Roelant Saverey and others.
Exhibition Palace (Fair Palace or Veletřini Palace)
- the largest of the museum's buildings, it exhibits masterpieces of world art from the 19th century to the present day.
