Bedřich Smetana Museum
Just a short distance away from Charles Bridge, the Bedřich Smetana Museum is situated in the neo-Renaissance building of the former Old Town Waterworks dating back to the 1880s. The building is itself interesting, as it is decorated with sgraffito patterns by Mikoláš Aleš and František Ženíšek. In addition, it stands on the bank of the Vltava River and offers an impressive panorama of Prague Castle. The Bedřich Smetana Museum is under the management of the National Museum and visitors can see an extensive collection documenting the composer’s life and work, the times he lived in and the perception of his works. The exhibition is based mainly on Smetana’s personal items that were purchased in 1928.
Useful information for visitors
Public transport connections
Staroměstská bus stop, tram stop, metro station (green line)
Opening hours and admission
For up-to-date information about the admission and opening hours of the Bedřich Smetana Museum, click here. The museum is open to the public free of charge on some days throughout the year. For more information, see the official website above. Visitors can also book a guided tour via the official website (in Czech only). Foreign visitors are provided with a written guide (English, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Swedish, Japanese and Dutch).
Interesting facts about Bedřich Smetana Museum
The Bedřich Smetana Museum was founded in 1926 by the Bedřich Smetana Association. The museum owns extensive collections related to the life and work of the founder of Czech national music, i.e. almost a complete collection of his works. Exhibits include Smetana’s correspondence, diaries, samples of autographs of his compositions and other documents such as photographs, personal items and even Smetana’s piano. Smetana’s key works along with related documents are placed on special stands and visitors can use a laser baton to play the recordings of some of his works. If booked in advance, visitors can also visit the study room of the Bedřich Smetana Museum. In addition, it is possible to purchase a book on Smetana and the Prague of his time (in Czech, German and English) and the recordings of his works and other souvenirs.
