Museum of Prague reopens with a new digital exhibition tracing the city from the 1800s to today
After five years of renovation, the main building of the Museum of Prague at Florenc is reopening to the public. Visitors will find a completely new digital and interactive exhibition called City Through Time, based on the museum’s most valuable piece, the Langweil Model of Prague. Radio Prague International spoke with the museum’s director, Ivo Macek:
We’re standing in the renovated main building of the Museum of Prague, which now houses a new permanent exhibition that is both interactive and digital. Why did you decide to take this approach?
"Actually, at the beginning, in 2023, we found ourselves at a crossroads. It had been two years since the pandemic, and we realized that society had changed, including how people think about their free time.
"City museums worldwide have been struggling to find ways to remain relevant for local audiences. And we were considering how to create a brand-new exhibition that would be attractive for young visitors as well.
"We conducted research and found that people enjoy experiencing historical topics through audiovisual forms. We have the paper model of Prague by Antonín Langweil, and we thought it would be very nice to tell its story in an 800-square-meter space using modern technology."
So what can visitors see—or perhaps it's more accurate to say, what can they experience—at this new exhibition?
"It's about the atmosphere, the time, and the feelings. What we aim to do is recreate the atmosphere of Prague at the beginning of the 19th century, when the model was built.
"We want to bring visitors into this 'time machine' and immerse them in that era. That's why we use technology, sound, and animations to create an atmosphere that allows people to feel the time. We also want to show visitors a comparison between the 19th century and 2025."
As you said, the exhibition is based on one of your most valuable objects, the remarkable 19th-century cardboard model of Prague created by Antonín Langweil, which is also featured at the exhibition. Why did you decide to separate the model and show it in 12 sections rather than as one piece?
"It had been shown as one piece for decades. After the renovation of the building, we wanted to present the model from a different perspective. Many visitors previously complained that it was very difficult to see the details because the model is huge—about 20 square meters—and enclosed in a glass cabin.
"That's why we decided to divide it into 12 sections. The model itself is like a puzzle with more than 50 pieces, so we can create smaller areas and use multiple pieces. This also allows us to show the layers of the model so visitors can see beneath and through it."
Finally, the main museum building opens to the public on Saturday, which is tomorrow. What will be on the programme?
"We are focusing on families and children for the opening programme. It starts on Saturday at 10 a.m., and we prepared activities especially for kids. Since it coincides with the St. Nicholas holidays, we created themed workshops.
"We are also premiering a new theatre play and offering a sightseeing tour with the curator of the model. The full programme is extensive and available on our website, and I really recommend it.
"Admission will be free not only for the opening weekend but for several months. I also want to advise visitors to anticipate possible rush hours on Saturday and Sunday, so be prepared that the building may be crowded."
