5 Old Town Museums You May Have Missed

Staroměstská is full of many of the must-see sites of the city. Even if you feel you’ve trodden the cobblestones and escaped the tourist throngs, there may be a few tidbits left to discover. Here are five ideas for alternate places to go in the Old Town.

Fun, fun! Half museum, half shop, the small space is a time warp for fashionistas. A timeline divided into decades runs along the museum half of the store informing about characteristics, styles and events that influenced fashion of the 1920s through 1980s. In addition there’s a rotating historic fashion exhibition (currently one on lingerie through the ages) that changes every few months or so. The items for sale have all been rescued and carefully revived to look practically new and now hang proudly, waiting for fresh owners. Each clothing item has a tag announcing the decade it came from and its approximate age. Super friendly, and free (donations requested) this is a must visit for lovers of vintage fashion.

Located on Old Town Square, better signage might go a long way to helping fish fans find this small aquarium. Located in the courtyard of Paláce Kinských, turn right immediately upon entering and head down the stairs. Aquariums are percolating away, the dark corners are draped with ropes and nets. The fish appeared clean and happy, if only a little bored. Shells, fossils, bones and descriptions of fish in Czech, English, German and Russian are laid out in a circular fashion. All the tanks state which fish are hanging out inside but it’s probably only interesting for true fish fanatics.

The Gastronomy Museum is best for foodies who like a side of history with their main and antique buffs. The exhibitions on display showcase the history of cooking from prehistoric times and end with a gleaming ‘kitchen of the future’ from Whirlpool. The Museum seems to have fastidiously gathered the antique appliances and cookery items that are on display in each of the exhibitions, so if old crockery and stoves are your thing, the museum is probably worth the price of admission for you too. The history of beer (there’s a little beer garden in the center courtyard), wine and spirits; a Hall of Fame of Czech gastronomy dating back to the 16th century, as well as other stellar names in the global illustrious cooking arena are beautifully shown over the two floors.

I’ll admit, I’m not a wax museum person. This is actually the second museum of fake people in the city center, and the newest, having opened in May 2014. Connected with the French museum of the same name, the space is split into ‘worlds.’ They’ve given a nod to their host country with ‘The Magic Laboratory’ featuring Rudolf II and the alchemists and the ‘Old Prague Café’ featuring historic literary types. Roughly 80 sports stars, movie stars and more, along with a hefty price tag await you in this plastic wonderland. Tip: Buy your tickets online; currently, tickets cost 430 CZK for adults at the museum or 340 CZK if you buy from their e-shop.

The Jewish Museum isn’t new, but is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, so if you haven’t been in a while (or have never been) this autumn might be a good time to check it out. They’ve opened a new interactive visitor center which offers details about the monuments and synagogues not only in the Jewish Quarter, but other important Jewish sites and synagogues in Prague and the Czech Republic.