Prague Tourist Attraction: Communist Museum

The Communist Museum in Prague Czech republic is a nice alternative to all the art museums and reflects the strong impact that the Communist era had on this nation. The Museum deals with communism as it relates to the Czech Republic.

The entrance to the museum is next to a McDonalds, and it shares a building with a casino, this is a visual illustration of how far Czech has come since 93 when it gained independence.

The museum does have a lot of reading material as it traces the history of communism in Czech chronologically, and then highlights specific aspects of the regime, like indoctrination in schools; agriculture and interrogation. But it does paint a full picture of communism’s infiltration into society.

For me there are two highlights. The first is a room full of busts and statues of communist heroes and famous figure, Marx, Stalin, Lennon and the like. What is so real about this display is that they were the actual statues that were ripped down when the communist rulers fell.

The second and most moving of all is video footage of the Velvet Revolution, as it took place in Wenceslas Square. The footage shows citizens being beaten and arrested, while the sound track is that of a haunting Czech song. The song is translated in to English subtitles, and is truly inspiring.

This museum is a testimony to humanity, and human perseverance in the face of great suppression.

Open Hours: 9:00-21:00

Admission: 180CZK

Location: Na Prikope 10 in Prague 1, which is just off Wenceslas Square.

Web site: http://www.muzeumkomunismu.cz/