The Alchemy Museum is located in the Jewish Quarter in Prague's Old Town.
It tells the story of alchemy and magic.
Here we collected all the important information about the Speculum Alchemiae, including the entrance, its history, and address.
What Can I Do at Speculum Alchemiae?
- Alchemists' Workshop and Laboratory: During the tour of the Alchemists' Workshop and Laboratory, visitors are taken into the secret world of alchemy and magic and the occult history of Prague. The medieval activities of alchemists are connected with many modern scientific fields.
- Museum Store: In the museum store, various elixirs are sold, which, it is said, are made according to original recipes of that time, including the Elixir of Eternal Youth, the Elixir of Love, and the Elixir of Memory.
Admission, Tickets, and Guided Tours
Speculum Alchemiae is open all year round.
- Tickets: The ticket for Speculum Alchemiae can be purchased directly on site or online.
- Guided Tours: You can take a guided tour through Speculum Alchemiae. They take place every half hour and last about 30 minutes.
- Admission: The exact admission prices can be found here.
How Do I Get to Speculum Alchemiae?
Speculum Alchemiae is located near Republic Square and is easily accessible from metro line B, yellow line, Náměstí Republiky stop, from there it is a few minutes walk.
History
The museum is located in the Jewish quarter in one of the oldest buildings in Prague, the House of Rabbi Löw, the first written records of which date back to 900 AD.
Speculum Alchemiae was first discovered during the cleanup after the great flood of August 2002, when hidden underground passages and rooms were found here, which, as it turned out, were once used as alchemical laboratories.
In the 15th century, there was a herbal apothecary here, where potions and elixirs were sold.
Emperor Rudolf II established an alchemical laboratory here in the 16th century, where many famous alchemists worked.
In the period of the late Middle Ages and early modern times, science and mysticism were closely connected. The magical atmosphere in the former laboratory has been preserved to this day in the faithfully recreated rooms.
Turning the small statue in the library opens a secret door leading to the underground laboratory beneath the statue, where the crucible used to turn lead into gold is on display.
A tunnel led directly from the lab to a safe escape into the forest outside the city… Alchemists could never be too careful…..
Contact
- Address: Haštalská 1, 110 00 Staré Město, Prague
- Public Transport: Metro line B, yellow line, Náměstí Republiky stop
- Opening Hours: The exact opening hours can be found on this website.