The baroque building, designed by Italian architect Francesco Caratti, has also served as a Dominican monastery, police barracks, and a historical archive. The interior was remodeled into a light-filled, high-ceilinged atrium to accommodate the Czech Museum of Music’s vast collections of precious musical instruments and scores. An entertaining permanent exhibition entitled ‘Man–Instrument–Music’ features the relationship between man and musical instruments, set to the backdrop of music recorded on those displayed.
Among the collection’s highlights is a piano once played by Mozart. Visits to the museum are often included on Mozart-themed walking tours of the city, which is a great way to get a fuller picture of the city’s music history.
The museum is located in Malá Strana (the Lesser Quarter) on the west bank of the River Vltava. You can take Prague Metro Line A to Malostranská station, a 12-minute walk away. Alternatively, take tram number 12, 15, 20, 22, or 23 to Hellichova stop, a 2-minute walk away.
The Czech Museum of Music is open from 10am to 6pm, six days a week—it is closed on Tuesdays. The museum closes for special events and national holidays, so it’s always a good idea to check before visiting.
After visiting the Czech Museum of Museum, consider also visiting the Museum Kampa, just a five-minute walk away. This modern art museum houses the Jan and Meda Mládek Collection, which contains works by abstract art pioneer František Kupka and the sculptor Otto Gutfreund, as well as the works of other prominent 20th-century artists from around the Eastern bloc.
