Prague has a special relationship with the arts. Affordable tickets may be one of the draws today, but the arts have been celebrated here since Mozart was celebrated as a hero.

It is best to book tickets online at any one of the many vendors, most notably:
http://www.ticketsonline.cz/.

Note that going to the theatre or opera is a special occasion and dress accordingly. There are performance groups that cater to tourists, easily spotted by costumed pamphleteers. These may be worthwhile performances, but note that these may not be the most authentic experiences.

The site, http://www.theatre.cz/, can help introduce you to Czech Theatre, as well as find theatres and performances of interest.

Theatre

Theatre in the city dates back to the middle ages, and in the 19th century the theatre played a part in the national awakening movement. Today there are many theatres, for opera, ballet and dance, puppets, black light theatre, and more.

Black Light Theatre

Black Light Theatre (in Czech cerne divadlo) consists of black box theatre and black light illusion. Black curtains, a darkened stage, and UV light are paired with fluorescent costumes for intense visual illusions. This style originates from Asia, but has become a speciality of Prague.

The website, http://en.divadlometro.cz/ provides information about the theatre, performances, and tickets.

Marionette

National Marionette Theatre
Marionette theatre (puppet theater) enjoys a long history in the Czech Republic. Performances include puppet versions of Mozart's famous Don Giovanni, and the enchanting story of the Magic Flute.
Address: Zatecka 1 , Prague 1
Telephone: +420 224 81 93 22
E-mail: festival@mozart.cz

Opera

The National Theatre
Known as the "Alma Mater of Czech opera", this theatre is a national monument of Czech history and art. The opera actually has three venues:

Prague National Theatre
Address: Narodni trida, Prague 1; at the Vltava river embankment
Ticket price: (Best available) 1000 CZK

Theatre of the Estates
Address: Ovocny trh, Prague 1; close to the bottom side of Wenceslas Square, at the Old Town
Ticket price: (Best available) 500 CZK

Prague State Opera
Address: Wilsonova street, Prague 1; close to top side of Wenceslas Square and the Main Train Station - Hlavni nadrazi
Ticket price: (Best available) 950 CZK

Museums

Czech history is varied with triumphs, defeats, and cultural growth. There are over 700 museums across the country displaying the many notable artefacts and treasures of the country.

Czech National Gallery
This amazing collection of both Czech and foreign works of art is housed in several different places:
Convent of St. Agnes of Bohemia - Collection of Medieval Art of Bohemia and Central Europe)
St George's Convent - Collection of Rudolphine and Baroque art
Kinsky Palace - Exhibition of Czech landscape paintings from the 17th to 20th century
Sternberg Palace - One of the most important collections of European Art from the Classical Era to the Close of Baroque
Veletrzni Palace - Graphic art of 19th-21st century
Prague Castle Riding School & Wallenstein Riding School - exhibition spaces
House at the Black Madonna - Museum of Czech Cubism
Zbraslav Chateau - Collection of Asian Art

Czech National Museum
This is the largest museum in Prague. There are five specialized departments: Natural History Museum, Historical Museum, National Museum Library, Naprstek Museum of Asian, African and American Cultures and Czech Music Museum.
Address: Prague 1, Vaclavske namesti 68
Telephone: +420 224 497 111
Opening hours: May - September daily 10.00-18.00; October - April daily 9.00-17.00
Entrance fee: Full 120 CZK; Reduced 60 CZK; Family 150 CZK; Taking pictures and filming 50 CZK

National Technical Museum in Prague
Dedicated to the history of science and technology. Its exhibits include the first Czechoslovak automobile. Permanent exhibitions deal with the measuring of time, transport, technologies of film and photography, acoustics and astronomy.
Address: Kostelni 42, 170 78 Prague 7
Telephone: 220 399 111, Fa 220 399 200
E-mail: info@ntm.cz

Prague City Gallery
A museum of 20th century Czech art is actually in several different sites:
Golden Ring House - Czech 20th-century art. Exhibitions of modern and contemporary art. Address: Tynska 6, Prague 1
Stone Bell House - Exhibitions of modern and contemporary art. Address: Staromestske nam. 13, Prague 1
Old Town Hall - Exhibitions of modern and contemporary art. Address: Staromestske nam. 1, Prague 1
Bilek Villa - Frantisek Bilek's studio and works. Address: Mickiewiczova 1, Prague 6 - Hradcany
Frantisek Bilek's House in Chynov - Works of Frantisek Bilek's. Address: Udolni 133, 391 55 Chynov u Tabora
Municipal Library - Exhibitions of modern and contemporary art. Address: Marianske nam. 1 (entrance from Valentinska street), Prague 1
Troja Chateau (Trojsky zamek) - New permanent exhibition (under construction). Address: U Trojskeho zamku 1, Prague 7

Czech Museum of Fine Arts
The museum focuses on the development of Czech 20th-century art.
Address: Husova 19-21, 110 01 Prague 1
Telephone: +420- 222 220 218, Fa +420- 222 221 190
E-mail: muzeum@cmvu.cz

Prague City Museum
The permanent exhibition is called "Historic Prague - History of the Town and Its People from Prehistory to 1784". main attraction is Antonin Langweil’s 20 sq. ft. (2 sq. m.) paper-and-wood model of the city of Prague.
Address: Na Porici 52, 180 00 Prague 8

Museum of W. A. Mozart and the Duseks
Mozart completed his famous opera Don Giovanni in the villa in 1787. Today, the Rococo building houses Mozart memorabilia and offers outdoor concerts in the gardens during the summer.
Address: Vila Bertramka, Mozartova 169, Prague 5
Telephone: 420 257 318 461
Opening hours: Daily, April - October: 9 am to 6 pm. November - March: 9.30 am. to 4 pm.
Admission: 110 CZK full, 80 CZK groups over 10 people, 50 CZK students, 40 CZK groups of students, 30 CZK children

Mucha Museum
The Mucha Museum features Art Nouveau. Czech artist Alphons Mucha's paintings, photographs, drawings, and personal belongings are on display.
Address: Kaunicky palac, Panska 7, Prague 1

Franz Kafka Museum
Long-term exhibition of Franz Kafka`s works (1883-1924). All first editions of Kafka`s books, correspondences, diaries, manuscripts, photographs and drawings.
Address: Cihelna 2, Prague 1
Telephone: +420 221 451 400
E-mail: info@kafkamuseum.cz
Opening hours: daily 10 am - 6 pm
Admission: 120Kc

Czech Museum of Fine Arts
Large collection of fine arts including classics and more modern works.
Address: Praha 1, Husova 19 - 21 Opening hours: 10:00-18:00, Mon Closed.
Admission: 50 Kc

Museum of Communism
Showcases memorabilia from the Communist period of 1948-1989. The Museum of Communism’s slogan, “Communism: the Dream, the Reality, and the Nightmare”, is indicative of the array of themes the museum covers. Video clips, memorabilia, and a replica of a communist interrogation room offer a chilling look at Communist rule.
Address: Na Prikope 10, Prague 1
Opening hours: Open Daily from 9.00 - 21.00
Admission: 180,-CZK per Adult; 140,-CZK per Student with ID card

Charles Bridge Museum
The new exposition of the Bridge examines the history, materials, and construction of the bridge.
Address: Krizovnicke namesti 3, 110 00 Prague 1
Admission: Regular: 150 czk; Family ticket: 320 czk; Students, seniors: 70 czk

Decorative Arts Museum
A collection of materials of historical and contemporary crafts, as well as applied arts and design.
Address: Praha 1, 17. listopadu 2
Opening Hours: 10:00-18:00, Mon Closed. (Every Tue 17:00-19:00 free entry)
Telephone: 420 251 093 111
E-mail: info@upm.cz

Jewish Museum in Prague
One of the largest collections of Judaic art and memorabilia in the world. The museum consists of six different buildings: the Maisel Synagogue, Spanish Synagogue, Pinkas Synagogue, Klausen Synagogue, Old Jewish Cemetery, and Ceremonial Hall. All buildings are located near each other, and visitors can choose to visit any combination of them.
Address: U Stare skoly 1, Prague 1
Opening hours: Winter opening times 9 am - 4.30 pm; Summer opening times 9 am - 6 pm. Closed Saturdays
Telephone: +420 222 749 211
E-mail: office@jewishmuseum.cz

The city also offers a webpage with detailed information about Prague's museums.

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