Galleries in Prague

Cultural life of the Czech capital is very rich, especially on galleries in Prague. There you can get acquainted with the best artists of previous centuries, see unique things and meet modern spirit of Czechia as well.

Galleries in Prague

We have put down the list of the most famous galleries in Prague that are must to visit. There you will also find address, work hours and entrance fee. Most of them are located in the city center, either not far from it. But you will have to use transport to reach some of them. Therefore, this article may be usefull: Public Transport in Prague.

Remember that all short-term exhibitions are advertised throughout the city, especially in public transport.

National Gallery

Since its foundation and until now the National Gallery has represented the artistic spirit of Prague and Czechia. It shows the city and the country through the prism of works of art which is the main “mission” of the National Gallery.

The history of the largest collection in the country has started more than two centuries ago. In 1796 a group of art lovers decided to create a Patriotic Society of Friends of Art. The goal was to save the old specimens of paintings, drawings and sculptures and select the best contemporary works of art.

In 1902, the society created the second gallery – Contemporary Art of the Czech Kingdom. It also included a personal collection of Emperor Franz Joseph I.

In 1942, the collections were merged into one. The modern National Gallery appeared after joining the collection of graphics of the National Museum and the University Library in 1949.

A vast collection of paintings, drawings and sculptures today is housed in 10 buildings located in Prague and beyond. Let’s find out what they are.

Kinsky Palace

In the Kinsky Palace on the Old Town Square there are more than 13500 exhibits that make up the collection of the Eastern art. Can you imagine that? Islamic ceramics and metal, Japanese engravings and books, Chinese archaic art, Tibetan Buddhist statues – these and many other valuable exhibits form the basis of the place.

On the second floor of the palace there is an ancient art of Mesopotamia, Egypt, Nubia, Assyria and many other countries and regions.

In the the former stables of the Kinsky Palace you will see a wide collection of engraving and drawings. More than 320 000 items of the European peoples from the Middle Ages up to the present day.

• Address: Staroměstské náměstí 12, Prague 1;
• Work hours: daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. except Monday;
• How to get: Metro line A or B to Mustek Station, or metro green line Staromestská.

Convent of St Agnes of Bohemia

This part of the National Gallery exhibits old art collections. You can admire the medieval art of Central Europe and Bohemia. The interior of the monastery dates back to the 14th century, which as well as possible complements the exposition here.

• Address: Jiřské náměstí 33, Prague 1;
• Work hours: daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. except Monday;
• How to get: walk from the Old Town Square to the direction of the river.

Salm Palace

There you can see the art of the Czech Republic, Austria and Germany of the period of classicism and romanticism of the 19th century. Among the exhibits are sculptures and paintings by Josef Matěj Navrátil, C. D. Friedrich, C. Rottmann and other masters.

• Address: Hradčanské náměstí 1, Praha 1;
• Work hours: daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m;
• How to get: Going by tram No. 22, 23, 41 your stop is Pražský hrad.

Schwarzenberg Palace

The main building of the Schwarzenberg Palace itself is an architectural masterpiece of the Renaissance period. It houses a permanent exhibition “Baroque in the Czech Republic”.

In halls you can see the engravings, paintings and sculptures of famous artists. In the basement of the building there is an exposition devoted to arts and crafts, as well as a collection of weapons. Among all galleries in Prague this one is really unique!

• Address: Hradčanské nám. 2/185, Praha 1;
• Work hours: daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m;
• How to get: Trams No. 22, 23, 41, Stop: Pražský hrad.

Sternberg Palace

It includes European art from the Classical period to the end of the Baroque period, with a special emphasis on the 14th – 18th centuries.

The first part of the exhibition covers the works of art of ancient Greece and Rome. On the second floor of the palace is an exhibition of works by Italian, Spanish, Dutch and French artists of the 16th – 18th centuries. On the ground floor works of German and Austrian art of the 16th – 18th centuries are exhibited.

• Address: Hradčanské náměstí 57/15, Praha 1;
• Work hours: daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. except Monday;
• How to get: Trams No. 22, 23, 41, Stop Pražský hrad.

Wallenstein Riding School

While walking across the Lesser Town, be sure to discover this amazing place too. The Wallenstein Riding School is the complex of Early Baroque Palace with gardens, fountains, sculptures, and of course, the palace.

Since 2000 it has been a house for temporary exhibits from the National Gallery. There you will meet works of famous Czech as well as international artists.

There are a lot of galleries in Prague, but these of the National Gallery complex mix both cultural and architectural values.

• Address: Prague 1 – Malá Strana, Valdstejnská 3;
• Work hours: daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. except Monday;
• How to get: metro to “Muzeum” station or tram No. 11 to the stop “Muzeum”.

Veletrzni Palace

The Trade Fair Place presents the largest collection of modern arts in Prague. There are six floors in a marvelous building in the style of Functionalism.

The Palace will charm you not only with its permanent exhibitions of French art of the 19th and 20th centuries, Czech art of 1960-1995, European art of the 20th century.

Also you will be impressed with selected collections at interesting short-term exhibitions.

• Address: Veletrzni Palace, Dukelskych hrdinu 47.
• Work hours: daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. except Monday.
• How to get: Metro station Vltavska.

Prices

All galleries are worth visiting and it is pretty hard to highlight only one. Therefore there is a single ticket for all permanent exhibitions. It costs 500 CZK and valid for 10 days from the purchase. You can visit:

• Convent of St Agnes of Bohemia
• Trade Fair Palace
• Sternberg Palace
• Schwarzenberg Palace.

Admission fee to permanent exhibitions:

Trade Fair Palace:

• basic 150 CZK;
• reduced 80 CZK.

Sternberg Palace, Schwarzenberg Palace, Convent of St. Agnes of Bohemia:

• basic 220 CZK;
• reduced 120 CZK.

Prague City Gallery

The main aim of this gallery was collection, studying and displaying of Czech art of the 19th and 20th centuries. In addition, the gallery was responsible for the restoration and construction of monuments, sculptures, memorial tablets and fountains in public places in Prague.

In its expositions, visitors can admire the art of the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries.

The Prague City Gallery occupies a number of buildings. These are:

• the house and villa of the Czech painter and sculptor František Bilek (1872-1941);
• the old town hall and special rooms in the municipal library;
• old architectural monuments with typically Czech tempting names: the Stone Bell House, the Golden Ring House, the Troja castle.

Troja Castle

The delightful Baroque Troja castle next to the Prague Zoo is the place for permanent exhibitions of the Prague City Gallery, as well as short-term ones. The permanent exhibition itself was inspired by the history of the castle and adapted to its interior in a way to draw attention to the beauty of the background.

Address: U Trojskeho Zamku a, Prague 7.

Work hours:

• April 1 – October 31: daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. except Monday;
• November 1 – March 31: on weekends from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Villa Bilek

The villa has served the home and work place of the famous sculptor, architect and graphic artist František Bilek. Today there is an exposition covering the peak of his creative career, together with the furniture created according to his drawings and the original interior.

• Address: Mickiewiczova 1, Prague 6.
• Work hours: Tuesday – Sunday: from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

City Library

The second floor of the City Library serves as an exhibition space for the City Gallery of Prague since 1992. The place is devoted to exhibitions of contemporary art, but concerts are also often held here. Go inside to take a rest and enjoy the beauty in there. Modern art is really thought provoking, so probably you will not leave unimpressed.

• Address: Mariánské náměstí 98/1, Prague 1.
• Work hours: Tuesday – Sunday: from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Price: 100 CZK, reduced ticket costs 50 CZK.

Old Town Hall

The location of Old Town Hall means it attracts thousands of tourists every day. Furthermore, there you can admire the modern Czech art which makes is highly popular gallery in Prague.

• Address: Staromestske namesti 1, Praha 1.
• Work hours: Tuesday – Sunday: from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Price: 20 CZK, reduced ticket costs 10 CZK.

Stone Bell House

The house of the Stone Bell received its name from the bell located on its corner from the 16th century. However, the building itself dates back to the 13th century. Now the house serves as an exhibition hall for important short-term projects of the Prague City Gallery.

• Address: Staromestske namesti 13, Praha 1.
• Work hours: Tuesday – Sunday: from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Price: 100 CZK, reduced ticket costs 50 CZK.

Golden Ring House

The impressive medieval Golden Ring House holds a permanent exhibition of Czech art of the 20th century. It is divided into three thematic sections, the exhibition will introduce you to the celebrities of the Czech artistic environment, such as Toyen, Josef Šima, Jan Zrzavý or Jiří Kolář.

• Address: Týnská 630/6, Prague 1.
• Work hours: Tuesday – Sunday: from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The Manes Exhibition Hall

The Manes Exhibition Hall was opened in 1930. It is a place with the mission to represent all forms of fine art.

Besides, this gallery often represents Prague on photographs.

Strolling along Vltava River you may notice white building in the style of functionalism with the water tower of the 15th century. This ensemble of the ancient and modern also gives this place a special grace. The building houses exhibitions on three floors.

It is worth mentioning that visitors can enjoy a wonderful panoramic view of Prague from the restaurant on the top floor.

• Address: Masarykovo nabrezi 250, Praha 1.
• Work hours: Tuesday – Sunday: from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Entrance fee:

• 30 CZK for students, elderly people, families, children;
• disabled people – free.

DOX Gallery

The project of the place was about to use it as a storehouse for steel constitutions. But gradually, it has taken the shape of a state-of-the-art complex. Six years later it appeared as a completely new structure, full of bright colors and originality.

In total the gallery hosts about 25,000 exhibitions during the year. There are also places for rest, including cafes, terraces, galleries, as well as a museum store where you will find small but nevertheless elegant art objects.

Address: Poupětova 793/1.

Admission fee:

• 100 – 200 CZK;
• disabled people and children under 12 – admission free.

How to get:

• Tram No.12, 14, 24, 53, 54, Ortenovo náměstí Stop;
• Metro station Nádraží Holešovice.

Meet Factory

Meet Factory is in the top ten most popular places of the city among students and youth. It houses a discussion club, a rehearsal and exhibition hall, a concert stage, a theater and a bar.

Meet Factory was created in 2001 by a famous Czech sculptor David Cerny. The main entrance to the club is marked by two red cars suspended on either side of the doors.

The interior is minimalistic and multifunctional: brick walls, painted graffiti, concrete pillars, neon lights and without any design tricks.

Today Meet Factory is a place for creative youth, as well as famous artists, actors, DJs and musicians. In addition, more than 300 events are held here annually: exhibitions of contemporary art, music concerts, theatrical performances and festivals.

If you go to Prague and want to find out more about its present life, this is definitely the place to visit. Detailed information about the events, parties and exhibitions is available on the official page.

• Address: Ke sklárně 3213/15, Praha 5.
• Working hours: Monday – Sunday: 1 p.m. 8 p.m.
• How to get: Metro station Smíchovské nádraží or tram stop: Lihovar. Trams No. 4, 5, 12, 20, 94.

Gallery Critics

The gallery is located in a very interesting place. The impressive interior of the Adria Palace is a Cubist monument, reminding a mixture of an Italian Renaissance palace and Fortress.

The gallery presents remarkable exhibitions of contemporary art: thematic displays of works by different artists, multifaceted projects, productions. There you can see different ways of artistic expression.

• Address: Palac Adria, Jungmannova 31, Praha 1.
• Work hours: Tuesday – Sunday: from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Entrance fee:

• full price – 40 CZK;
• reduced ticket – 20 CZK.

Clam Gallas Palace

It consists of 99 rooms and halls. Exhibitions and many other events that take place on the ground floor and in the basement are mainly dedicated to photography.

The walls of the palace preserve the long history of Prague architecture. The interior combines the Romanesque style, the Gothic and the Renaissance.

Most noteworthy, this palace was closely connected with one of the visits of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart to Prague. Therefore in 2006 there appeared the main exposition “Mozart’s Prague time”.

• Address: Husova 20, Praha 1.
• Work hours: Tuesday – Sunday: from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Admission fee: depends on the exhibition.

Langhans Gallery

Langhans Galerie Praha is built in 1880. Since that time it has been devoted to photography. The gallery building was recently restored and belongs to the Renaissance period. It is considered to be the leading place for photo exhibitions in Prague. Here you will find works of both Czech and photographers from around the world.

Walking along the gallery will give you a lot of unforgettable impressions.

• Address: Vodickova 37, Praha 1.
• Work hours: Tuesday – Sunday: from 12 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Entrance fee: 60 CZK.

Tour

As you can see this list of galleries in Prague is quite large and may take a lot of time. That is why we offer you Tours with Local Guide who is experienced and knows how to cover the most interesting. Besides, it will save you a couple hours to enjoy this amazing city of 100 spires!