Museum of miniatures

At Strahovské nádvoří 11 in Prague, the Museum of Miniatures displays works so small that you need a microscope or magnifying glass to see them. Look for a caravan of camels passing through a needle’s eye, portraits painted on poppy seeds and tiny scenes made on human hair. The collection also includes miniature copies of famous paintings and a three-dimensional Eiffel Tower only 3.2 mm tall. It is a compact stop, best suited to visitors happy to slow down and examine each piece closely.

How to view the collection

The works are made on surfaces and objects so small that many cannot be seen with the naked eye. Microscopes and magnifying glasses let you inspect the details, from tiny paintings to miniature sculptures. Take your time at each viewing point; the scale is part of what makes the collection unusual.

Tiny scenes and portraits

Look for the caravan of camels passing through the eye of a needle and portraits painted on poppy seeds. Other works described in the collection include a three-dimensional Eiffel Tower measuring 3.2 mm, a golden sailboat on a human hair and the Lord’s Prayer written on a hair. There are also miniature copies of paintings by artists such as Leonardo da Vinci, Salvador Dalí, Henri Matisse, Botticelli and Rembrandt.