The Franz Kafka Museum in Prague is dedicated to one of the greatest writers of the 20th century: Franz Kafka (1883-1924).
In our complete guide to the Franz Kafka Museum, you will learn everything about the exhibition and history, as well as helpful information about directions, tickets, and guided tours.
What Can I Do At the Franz Kafka Museum?
The Franz Kafka Museum near Charles Bridge offers insight into the world of this important writer. Franz Kafka, whose life is closely connected with the Czech capital, was born in Prague on July 3, 1883.
Exhibition
The permanent exhibition is divided into two parts: "Existential Space" and "Imaginary Topography".
- Existential Space: In this area, visitors are shown how the city of Prague influenced and shaped Franz Kafka's life. Through video, light, and sound installations, as well as Kafka's personal belongings, including diaries and extensive correspondence with friends, relatives, and his fiancée, visitors gain insight into the special connection between Kafka and Prague. Photographs, manuscripts, memorabilia, and drawings of the eccentric writer are also on display.
- Imaginary Topography: The "Imaginary Topography" thematizes the works of Kafka. This part of the museum is about the physical topography of Prague, which is palpable in Kafka's novels and stories, but not precisely described. This imaginary topography and the significance of the described buildings as metaphors and allegorical places are examined in more detail here.
Museum Shop
In the museum store, you can buy a wide range of souvenirs, books, works, and postcards related to Kafka. Especially popular is the map of Kafka's Prague.
Statue in Front of the Museum
Also worth seeing is the fountain in the courtyard of the museum with the infamous sculpture by David Černý. This shows two men facing each other and urinating into a lake with the outline of the Czech Republic. The statue caused plenty of excitement.
Admission, Tickets, and Guided Ttours
- Tickets: An overview with the current ticket prices can be found on the homepage of the Franz Kafka Museum.
- Guided Tours: The museum can be visited in more detail on a guided tour. This is offered in Czech, English, German, French, and Russian. Advance reservation is required. Read more here.
- Franz Kafka City Map: The museum also offers a map of Franz Kafka's Prague, with the places that have a special connection to Kafka's life and works.
How Do I Get to the Franz Kafka Museum?
The Franz Kafka Museum is located on the banks of the Vltava River in Prague's Lesser Town.
The best way to reach the museum on foot is to cross Charles Bridge from the Old Town and then turn right. After about 5 minutes you will arrive in front of the museum.
If you want to get there by public transport, it is best to take streetcar line 2 or 18 to the Malostranská station. Then turn left on Klárov and go into U Lužického semináře until you get in front of a fork. Here you follow the left side of the fork, Cihelná, until you reach the Kafka Museum.
History of the Franz Kafka Museum
The Franz Kafka Museum focuses on the important writer, Franz Kafka, and was opened in Prague in 2005.
However, the origins of the museum go back even further, as in fact the current exhibits were conceived as a traveling exhibition in 1999 and first put on display in Barcelona.
It was subsequently presented at the Jewish Museum in New York in 2002-2003.
After the success in Barcelona and in New York, it was decided to show the exhibition permanently in Prague. For this purpose, the impressive building of a former brickyard was rebuilt. Since the summer of 2005, it has served as the Franz Kafka Museum and has since become one of the most important sights in Prague.
Contact
- Address: Franz Kafka Museum, Cihelná 2b, 118 00 Prag 1 – Lesser Town
- Website: https://kafkamuseum.cz/en/
- Public Transport: Streetcar line 2 or 18 to the Malostranská station
- Ticket: … link own ticket…
- Opening Hours: The current opening hours can be found on the museum's website.