In Prague’s Jewish Quarter, the Museum of Decorative Arts brings Czech and European design together in a neo-Renaissance building with richly ornamented interiors. Its collections span Bohemian glass, ceramics, textiles, fashion, furniture, jewellery, clocks, toys, graphics and photography. Allow time for the glass displays, then look up at the decorated ceilings and take in the staircases and other details of the building. The museum is often quiet, making it a considered break from busier sights. A garden and café-restaurant add space to pause during your visit.
A museum for applied arts and design
The Museum of Decorative Arts in Prague brings together objects made for use and display, from glass and ceramics to furniture, textiles, jewellery, clocks, toys, graphics and photography. Its collections include Czech and European work, with objects spanning different periods and materials. The range gives the visit a different rhythm from a museum focused on a single medium: you can move from a glass display to textiles, fashion or furniture.
The institution opened to the public in 1900. Its founding purpose was tied to preserving the aesthetic and craft qualities of handmade objects during a period of industrial change. The museum’s focus on materials and making remains visible across its exhibitions, which include both historic objects and design work.
The building and its interiors
The main museum building is a neo-Renaissance structure designed by architect Josef Schulz. Its richly decorated interiors are part of the visit: look for patterned ceilings, detailed doors and staircases as you move between the galleries. The building’s ornament provides a striking setting for the objects without requiring you to be an architecture specialist to appreciate it.
The museum stands in Prague’s old Jewish quarter, across from the Rudolfinum and beside the Old Jewish Cemetery. Its address is 17. listopadu 2. The location makes it possible to pair the museum with other nearby sights, though the displays and the interior merit time of their own.
Glass, fashion and other collections
Bohemian glass is a central draw, with Czech and international examples in the glass displays. The broader collections include ceramics and porcelain, textiles and fashion, furniture, jewellery, clocks and watches, toys, graphic art and photographs. Exhibition subjects can vary: past displays have included women’s fashion across several generations and French advertising posters from the interwar period.
The museum also presents craft and design through particular materials and techniques, including lacework, goldsmithing, weaving and woodwork. Rather than rushing through each room, take time to notice how objects differ in material, use and decoration. The permanent displays and temporary exhibitions can sit alongside one another, so check what is on view when planning your visit.
Planning your visit
The museum is closed on Mondays and has an admission fee. Advance tickets are recommended. Check the ticket details before you go if seeing the glass display is a priority, since admission coverage can differ. Student discounts have been reported, but check current eligibility and terms directly with the museum.
The galleries can be quiet, especially outside peak visiting times. Two hours is a useful minimum if you want to look closely at the objects and the building; allow longer if you plan to explore every floor and exhibition. A garden and café-restaurant provide places to pause during the visit. The museum has a wheelchair-accessible entrance and restroom.
Preguntas frecuentes
How long should I spend at the Museum of Decorative Arts in Prague?
Allow at least two hours to explore the collections and the building. Add time if you plan to see every floor and exhibition.
Is the Museum of Decorative Arts closed on any day?
Yes. It is closed on Mondays.
Should I buy tickets in advance?
Advance tickets are recommended. Check the ticket details to confirm which exhibitions, including the glass display, are covered.
What can I see at the museum?
Collections include Bohemian glass, ceramics, textiles, fashion, furniture, jewellery, clocks, toys, graphics and photography.
Is the museum wheelchair accessible?
The museum has a wheelchair-accessible entrance and restroom.
