Everything You Need to Know about Visiting the Museum of Communism in Prague

“The Czech Republic’s capital city, Prague, is known for its vibrant historic sites and unique landmarks, such as the medieval Astronomical Clock and the historic Charles Bridge. If you’re travelling to Prague, the Museum of Communism is a must-visit attraction for any history buff. This fascinating museum offers insight into the history of Czechoslovakia under a communist regime through personal stories and artefacts. Find out everything you need to know about visiting the Museum of Communism in Prague and get ready for an unforgettable experience.

A brief history of the Museum of Communism
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The Museum of Communism was founded by American businessman Glenn Spicker. He collected hundreds of artefacts and enlisted the help of Jan Kaplan, a documentary filmmaker, to help design the museum. The design was modelled after a 3-act tragedy, beginning with the start of communism and ending with the nightmare of the police state.

The museum is the primary attraction of its kind in Prague and traces the experience of life in the communist era through vivid film and photographs, propaganda, military memorabilia and original artefacts.

Museum of Communism by Alejandro Forero Cuervo – CC BY 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/) – https://www.flickr.com/photos/aforero/2832105392/

Navigating the museum
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The Museum of Communism in Prague is divided into 3 sections: The Dream, The Reality and The Nightmare. It follows the history chronologically, beginning with the Party inception in 1921 and ending with the 1989 Velvet Revolution.

The Dream is the first part of the exhibition and illuminates the ideals and appeal of communism in the early 20th century. It connects the major factors that played a role in the rise of communism, such as the economic crisis of the 1930s and the Nazi occupation.

The Reality covers a wider span of time that shows the stark contrast between the promises and ideals of communism and the reality for Czech people. Some of the highlights include a recreated classroom with books children would have read and a telephone booth without a phone, as a reminder of the restrictions on free speech.

Plenty of moving artwork and photography are found in the museum as well, such as a painting of the Czechoslovak communist president Gottwald standing with Soviet leader Stalin and statues of Karl Marx and Vladimir Lenin. One of the most poignant exhibits is a film about communism and its consequences, which includes footage of police brutality and protest songs.

Pilot Outfit from Communist Days, Museum of Communism, Prague by Adam Jones – CC BY-SA 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/) – https://www.flickr.com/photos/adam\_jones/4101654082

How to get there
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The Museum of Communism is located at V Celnici 4, New Town, Prague 1. It can be reached by Line B of the metro via Namesti Republiky station and tram stop Namesti Republiky via trams 6, 8,15 and 26. If you prefer to walk, you can reach the museum by travelling down V Celnici Street from Namesti Republiky. The museum is within a small square.

Opening times and ticket prices
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The Museum of Communism is open every day except for December 24. The museum opens at 9 a.m. and closes at 9 p.m. Tickets are £12.74 for adults and £9.72 for students. Children under the age of 10 can enter for free. Group discounts are offered for 15 or more people, though children aren’t counted toward the group total and still receive free admission.

You can book a guided tour of the museum for an additional price. The tour allows a maximum of 40 people and lasts about an hour. Tours must be reserved in advance, and you can book tours in English, German and French.

Museum amenities
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After seeing the exhibits, you can visit the museum shop to find posters, books, postcards, mugs, coasters, shirts, reproduction medals and other unique mementoes of your time in the museum. The museum also includes a cinema that shows ‘A Time of Shame, Silence, and Hope’, a documentary film by Josef Císařovský that chronicles the period from 1969 to 1989.

Mannekin of Young Pioneer in Classroom, Museum of Communism, Prague by Adam Jones – CC BY-SA 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/) – flickr.com/photos/adam_jones/4100898763

What to do nearby
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Mannekin of Young Pioneer in Classroom, Museum of Communism, Prague by Adam Jones – CC BY-SA 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/) – flickr.com/photos/adam_jones/4100898763

What to do nearby

The Museum of Communism is close to many other fascinating attractions in Prague. Being so close to Republic Square, you can add the museum to a day of exciting sightseeing. The square is on the border of Old Town, which includes the Old Town Hall, the medieval Astronomical Clock and its hourly shows and the Jewish Quarter. The entire area is pedestrianised as well, so you can easily reach your destination on foot.

For food, stop in the Palladium Shopping Centre and visit the food floor, which has everything from fast-food restaurants to independent restaurants and bars serving all types of ethnic cuisine.

Plan your trip to Prague
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Prague has a lot of exciting things to do, but if you enjoy history, the Museum of Communism has to be on your list. When you’re ready to plan your trip, visit Expedia to browse deals on Prague holidays to make the most of the experience!

#### Photo Credits

Cover pic: Lenin – Museum of Communism – Prague-4 by Mark Surman – CC BY 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/) – https://www.flickr.com/photos/marksurman/4001505985“