The Ethnographic Museum of the National Museum occupies Kinský Folly in Kinský Garden, Prague 5. Its collections explore traditional folk culture from Bohemia, Moravia and Silesia, with folk art, traditional costumes, religious icons and decorated Easter eggs among the objects on display. The Empire-style building and surrounding garden add a calm setting for a museum visit. Many permanent displays have Czech descriptions, so a translation app can help; temporary exhibitions may include English text and multimedia.
A summerhouse in Kinský Garden
The museum is housed in Letohrádek Kinských, also called Kinský Folly, at Kinského zahrada 98 in Prague 5. Architect Heinrich Koch designed the summerhouse in the Empire style, and it was built between 1827 and 1831. Since 1901, the building has been home to the ethnographic museum.
Kinský Garden surrounds the summerhouse. The grounds connect the Lesser Town and Smíchov, and a walk through the garden makes a natural approach to the museum. The garden is also a place to pause in quieter surroundings away from the busier parts of the city.
Folk culture from three Czech regions
The collection documents traditional folk culture from Bohemia, Moravia and Silesia. Displays include folk art, traditional clothing and religious icons. Smaller objects reward a close look: decorated glass bottles and painted Easter eggs are among the items visitors have found especially striking.
The museum’s permanent exhibition can show only a fraction of the objects it manages. It also arranges themed exhibitions, each focused on a particular field. The subject on view can therefore change, so check the National Museum’s website for current exhibition details before visiting.
Understanding the displays
Many descriptions in the permanent exhibition are in Czech, which can make it harder to follow the details if you do not read the language. A translation app is useful for interpreting labels. Temporary exhibitions have included bilingual text and multimedia, though the format depends on what is currently on display.
The National Museum publishes information about current exhibitions in English on its website. If you want to learn more about a particular topic, check that information before your visit. The museum shop has souvenirs, but its closing time is earlier than the museum’s, so plan to browse before 5:30 pm.
Häufige Fragen
Where is the Ethnographic Museum of the National Museum?
It is in Letohrádek Kinských, in Kinský Garden at Kinského zahrada 98, Prague 5.
What can you see at the museum?
The collections cover traditional folk culture from Bohemia, Moravia and Silesia. Exhibits include folk art, costumes, religious icons and decorated Easter eggs.
Are the museum displays in English?
Many permanent displays have Czech descriptions. Temporary exhibitions may include English text and multimedia, and current exhibition information is available in English on the National Museum’s website.
Is there a garden around the museum?
Yes. Kinský Garden surrounds the museum, and visitors can walk through it on the way to the summerhouse.
