Chinggis Khan exhibition brings rare Mongolian treasures to Prague
A major exhibition dedicated to the legendary Mongolian ruler Chinggis Khan opened this week at Prague’s National Museum. Showcasing more than 260 rare items from Mongolia, many of which are seldom seen abroad, the exhibition includes an extraordinary highlight—a unique wooden horse saddle from the Great Mongol Empire.
Titled Chinggis Khan, the exhibition transports visitors into the world of the great conqueror and his empire in the first quarter of the 13th century and the centuries before and after. On display in the historic building of the National Museum is rare gold jewellery, weapons, clothing, ritual masks, paintings, ceramics, and equestrian equipment from the era, offering a glimpse into the power and culture of the Mongols.
The artifacts have been loaned to Czechia on an exceptional basis by the National Chinggis Khan Museum in Ulaanbaatar and the Institute of Archaeology of the Mongolian Academy of Sciences. The exhibition was personally inaugurated by Mongolia’s President Ukhnaagiin Khürelsükh, alongside his Czech counterpart, Petr Pavel.
Spanning three exhibition halls, the showcase includes treasures from the monumental underground tombs of Hun rulers, weaponry and cavalry equipment of the feared Mongol horsemen, and artefacts that provide a glimpse into the spiritual beliefs, everyday lives, and personal stories of the ancient Mongols.
The rarest exhibit is a preserved wooden horse saddle from the second half of the 13th century. Curator Pavla Hubáčková shares more details:
"The saddle is made of wood, tied with wooden strings. It was found at a burial site, alongside the mummy of its rider. Discovered in rock, which is why it has been so remarkably well preserved. The Mongolian saddle has its own unique characteristics, just like Mongolian horses. They are smaller, stocky, but also incredibly tough—qualities that played a crucial role in the Mongol army’s long journeys and battles."
The exhibition not only highlights the life and conquests of Chinggis Khan but also features unique artefacts from the National Museum’s own collection. One of the standout pieces is a Czech translation of The Secret Chronicle of the Mongols, the most important historical record of Chinggis Khan’s life, translated by Pavel Poucha in 1955. Zdeněk Šámal, head of the Náprstek Museum of Asian, African and American Cultures, explains:
“The Secret Chronicle of the Mongols is a remarkable source because it was originally meant to be passed down only through oral tradition. However, it was transcribed into Chinese in the early 14th century. Poucha’s translation is particularly notable, as he was one of the first scholars to undertake such a project in the 1950s.”
The exhibition is open in the historic National Museum building at the top of Wenceslas Square until June 22. Meanwhile, the museum's director has already signed another agreement with Mongolia, this time in collaboration with the country’s Academy of Sciences, for a future exhibition titled Dinosaurs: Dragons from Mongolia.
