Discover the Wonders of Czech Museums: Unforgettable Exhibits & Timeless Treasures!
1. Skeleton of a Blue Whale (National Museum, Prague)
The enormous skeleton of a blue whale is one of the largest natural history exhibits in Czechia. This remarkable skeleton belonged to a fully grown female that measures 22.5 meters long and weighs about four tonnes. It offers a captivating look into the anatomy of these gigantic creatures. Following its reconstruction, the skeleton is now a highlight of the Miracles of Evolution exhibition in the historic National Museum in Prague.
2. Reliquary of Saint Maurus (Bečov nad Teplou Castle)
The Reliquary of Saint Maurus, along with the Czech royal coronation jewels, is among the most valuable goldsmith’s treasures in the Czech Republic and one of the most precious artefacts in Europe. Notably dating back to the 13th century, it contains skeletal remains of St. John the Baptist, St. Maurus, St. Apollinaris, and St. Timothy. Interestingly, this reliquary was lost for several centuries and was rediscovered in 1985 at Bečov nad Teplou Castle, igniting great interest among historians and archaeologists. It is considered one of the most significant finds of its kind in Europe.
3. Czech Coronation Jewels (Prague Castle)
The Czech Coronation Jewels are among the most significant national treasures and are displayed irregularly at Prague Castle. Starting in 2024, President Petr Pavel has initiated their exhibition during the national holiday of St. Wenceslas. The collection includes the St. Wenceslas Crown along with its cap, cushion, and case, the royal orb and its case, the royal sceptre and its case, as well as the coronation robe.
4. Tatra 87 of Hanzelka and Zikmund (Technical Museum, Kopřivnice)
5. Jan Kašpar’s Aeroplane (National Technical Museum, Prague)
The legendary Tatra 87 automobile is famous for being the vehicle in which renowned Czech travellers Jiří Hanzelka and Miroslav Zikmund journeyed across Africa, Asia, and Latin America in the 1950s. This unique vehicle features an aerodynamic design that was highly advanced for its time. With a V8 engine and a streamlined profile, the Tatra 87 symbolizes Czech engineering and adventure.
This unique aircraft, designed and built in 1910, was the first Czech aeroplane to achieve a successful flight. Jan Kašpar is recognized as a pioneer of Czech aviation, and his aeroplane remains a lasting symbol of determination and technological progress from that era.
6. Astronomical Instruments (National Technical Museum, Prague)
Additionally, astronomical instruments from the era of Tycho Brahe serve as exceptional artifacts showcasing advancements in astronomy during the 16th century. Used by the famed Danish astronomer, these instrument allowed for detailed celestial observations and played a key role in the development of space science.
A visit to the National Technical Museum in Prague is well worth it! Besides the treasures mentioned above, you can also admire the Singing Fountain, a masterpiece that showcased Czech ingenuity at the EXPO 1958 world exhibition.
7. Dinosaur Tooth (Moravian Museum, Brno)
The only tooth of a carnivorous dinosaur ever found in Czechia was discovered in Brno and is now displayed as part of the palaeontology exhibition.
8. Czech Garnet (Museum of the Bohemian Paradise, Turnov)
The museum also features a unique collection of jewellery and minerals showcasing Czech garnet, which is famous for its beauty and distinctive deep red color. The collection includes not only garnets in various forms but also historical pieces illustrating the evolution of this gemstone from the Middle Ages to today.
9. Lithuanian Treasure from Helfštýn (Archaeological Museum, Olomouc)
The Lithuanian treasure from the monumental Helfštýn Castle is displayed at the Museum in Olomouc, specifically at the Museum of Art. The castle has undergone award-winning reconstruction and attracts artistic blacksmiths from around the world each year. Visitors can marvel at valuable jewellery, coins, and other artifacts that were part of this fascinating medieval discovery.
The smallest museum in czechia. Lastly, here’s a tip for the Museum of Scales in Křenovy – the smallest museum in Czechia. Located in Křenovy, just a 40-minute drive from Plzeň, this museum features an exhibition of various types of scales housed in a tiny building that includes a fully functional agricultural weighing mechanism.
10. The World’s Largest Funeral Carriage (Čechy pod Kosířem)
In the quaint village of Čechy pod Kosířem, visitors can explore a unique collection of over a hundred historical carriages housed in a historic château. Among these are the Golden Carriage, crafted in France in 1750, and the archbishop’s carriage, which has appeared in films like Amadeus, Sissi, and The Vampire Wedding. One of the standout pieces is the world’s largest funeral carriage, an impressive vehicle that measures six and a half meters long and stands three and a half meters tall.
11. Venus of Dolní Věstonice (Moravian Museum, Brno)
Our selection wraps up with the extraordinary Venus of Dolní Věstonice! This ceramic figurine of a naked woman from the Upper Palaeolithic period is regarded as the oldest known ceramic statue in the world. Discovered in Czechia on July 13, 1925, in the ash pit of a prehistoric settlement—now a renowned wine-growing area—this historical rarity is not frequently exhibited. However, in 2025, we will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the discovery of the Venus of Dolní Věstonice. The Moravian Museum in Brno is preparing the Venus 100 project, featuring a main exhibition at the Dietrichstein Palace on Zelný trh, running from June 18 to July 13, 2025. Visitors will have a unique opportunity to view the original figurine from all angles.
