Family fun in 2022: A children's museum is opening in Prague this year

The National Museum in Prague is one of the Czech Republic’s most famous landmarks and a treasure trove of experiences for the whole family. After opening various permanent and temporary exhibits last year, the museum is entering the new year with a focus on getting more kids interested in history.

Complementing its range of exhibitions and educational programs for kids, a new children’s museum is planned in the NM's New Building for later this year (the date is TBA). The museum will provide exhibits for young visitors and also run educational programs for schools.

The ambitious project was announced by the museum together with its program of exhibitions for 2022.

This month, a new exhibition titled “History” will open, presenting the story of the Czech lands from the Middle Ages to the 19th century. Another exhibition entitled “We Will Never Give Up” is also being prepared to celebrate the 80th anniversary of Operation Anthropoid, in which Nazi Reich Protector Reinhard Heydrich was assassinated in Prague.

Other exhibitions will cover the history of women at Prague Castle, as well as climate change, the environment and ecological issues.

Last year saw the National Museum affected by Covid restrictions. The museum was closed until May, but after re-opening it welcomed more than 400,000 visitors. A lack of tourists in Prague meant most of these were domestic guests. The museum opened exhibitions including the "Miracles of Evolution," which displays the museum's famous 22.5-meter fin whale skeleton.

“Last year was a very challenging year for the National Museum,” said General Director Michal Lukeš in a press release. “We managed to open to the public thousands of meters of new exhibitions full of unique exhibits, bringing our visitors knowledge, education and, hopefully, joy.”

Meanwhile, Prague’s National Gallery has a variety of exhibitions lined up for 2022. These include “Post-Digital Intimacy,” exploring the interaction between technology and personal intimacy, and winning artworks from The Empathy Award, a competition for art with a social dimension run by the Gallery. Both of these exhibitions are in the Gallery’s main Veletržní Palác building.

Other exhibits currently operated by the National Gallery include “Forgeries? Forgeries!” on how originals can be distinguished from fakes: an ever-greater issue facing museums and galleries around the world. This exhibition is taking place at Sternberg Palace. “The Buddha Up Close” meanwhile presents Buddhist art from the Museum Rietberg Zurich and the National Gallery, exploring the life and times of the Buddha, at the Waldstein Riding School.

Along with their permanent range, these temporary exhibits should have something to pique every visitor's interest. With a new Children’s Museum to open at the National Museum, 2022 could see more locals than ever attracted to two of the country’s great cultural centers.