At the site of the former Praha Těšnov railway station, a new building of the Museum of Prague could be erected

Prague - A new building for the Museum of Prague could be constructed at the site of the former Prague Těšnov train station. It would stand directly opposite the current historical building. At the same time, the city plans to create an interactive science center for children in the Desfours Palace in Florenc, which will also be operated by the Museum of Prague. Its director, Ivo Macek, told ČTK that a unique museum triangle would thus be established. The Museum of Prague is a contributory organization of the Prague City Hall, and its collection fund is dedicated to the history of Prague.

"We plan to build a new modern building for the Museum of Prague at Těšnov, which will present our capital as a living organism, connecting history, the present, and nature. At the same time, the museum will finally gain appropriate facilities and space for the development of exhibitions, education, and new interpretations of themes that shape the urban landscape," said Macek.

He added that in September, a working group was established at the Prague City Hall to resolve the placement of the building and to plan changes in the vicinity of the historical building. "The plan is to create a triangle of the Museum of Prague buildings in the given area: a new modern building, the historical main building in Florenc, and an interactive science center of a museum type in the Desfours Palace," Macek said.

The main building of the museum in Florenc has been closed since 2020 due to reconstruction. Construction work has been completed, and the installation of a new experiential exhibition is currently being finalized. This exhibition will be designed to particularly engage children. It utilizes modern technologies and includes a range of interactive elements. Visitors will be transported back to the beginning of the 19th century, when Langweil’s model of Prague was created, one of the museum's most valuable exhibits. The costs of the reconstruction amount to approximately 290 million crowns.

The main building of the Museum of Prague was built according to the design of architect Antonín Balšánek between 1896 and 1898, and it was ceremonially opened to the public along with the exhibitions on September 27, 1900. Until 2020, it underwent partial modifications mainly of a technical nature. The reconstruction included the restoration of all interior spaces, technical and safety equipment, as well as the construction of an elevator. The ticket offices, cloakrooms, restrooms, and museum shop have been modernized.