Recommendation to the visitors of Prague

Martin Lubojacky · 6th July 2015, 05:10 PM

Imperial Armoury in Schwarzenberg Palace

fernando · 6th July 2015, 05:40 PM

Excelent ... and tempting.
Thanks Martin

CSinTX · 7th July 2015, 12:03 AM

Thanks for the info! My wife and I are considering a trip to Prague next spring. I searched for arms museums but hadn't been able to come up with anything. We will have to make this one of our stops.

We are thinking of finishing our trip with a couple days in either Cesky Krumlov or Karlovy Vary. Would you know if either of them have anything arms and armour related?

Thanks,
Casey

Martin Lubojacky · 8th July 2015, 12:21 AM

Thanks Fernando.

Dear Casey, in Český Krumlov you will find something here: http://www.zamek-ceskykrumlov.eu/tou...castle-museum/. (look at 8.10 Armoury). Karlovy vary is a town of spas, glassworks, film festival and Russian tourists. Weapons would be in the castles of West Bohemia, I do not know if there is something directly in the city.

In Prague you could also visit Military History Museum and Náprstkovo museum (http://www.nm.cz/Naprstek-Museum/). Nevertheless, as far as weapons in Náprstek Museum are concerned, there is only stable exhibition of American Indians ans Pacific weapons. Others, like e.g. Africa, are in deposits and they display it from time to time ----
Regards,
Martin

ChrisPer · 12th July 2015, 03:00 PM

I highly recommend Ceske Krumlov. The arms collection is very pleasing with matchlocks, wheellocks, Turkish arms and also a room of minting tools and you are allowed to photograph and take your time going through. Several cannon associated with the castle since the Thirty Years War are sheltered under a verandah.

In Prague Castle's Golden Lane is a display of armour that I think must be leftovers from the movies, but I could be wrong.

The Lobkowitz palace in Prague Castle has a lovely display of arms, and there is another in their castle at Nelahozeves. The amazing residence of Franz Ferdinand at Konopiste has the best of all, a huge collection of fascinating arms (plus his truly ridiculous amount of hunting trophies). But sadly these last two collections are guided tours only; you are herded into a room, it is discussed for five minutes, then the party is herded into the next room and the door locked behind. No photography at any of them.

I missed the museum of military history, but we were walking along the river when I realised I was looking at the massive brick faced bastion of a star fort. And I was looking for cannon, but saw almost none except smaller privately held ones.

I will post some pics later.

broadaxe · 13th July 2015, 09:44 PM

The Imperial Armoury in Schwarzenberg Palace is absolutely fantastic! I was there just after the renovation, a few years ago. Make sure you find it, because the entrance to the exhibition is hidden behind a closed door and one must climb up.

ChrisPer · 29th July 2015, 05:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by broadaxe

The Imperial Armoury in Schwarzenberg Palace is absolutely fantastic! I was there just after the renovation, a few years ago. Make sure you find it, because the entrance to the exhibition is hidden behind a closed door and one must climb up.

I missed it, not knowing it was there.

Maybe one day I can go back.

Meanwhile does anyone know if there is old artillery displayed in Prague?

Iain · 24th September 2017, 11:10 AM

I thought I'd bring this topic back to life for a bit. The Schwarzenberg Palace armoury is still around and of course a wonderful gallery. However there are a few other places off the beaten track worth seeking out. I recently had a free day to make a few museum visits.

First of all The City of Prague Museum, this one isn't as well trafficked as the national museum network, but it has some wonderful exhibits detailing the history of Prague. Part of that includes arms and armour artifacts.

A few selections below including an exceptional bronze sword, early iron swords and spears, 13th century swords and axes and Hussite arms as well as an early bronze hand cannon.

Iain · 24th September 2017, 11:12 AM

Rest of the images.

Iain · 24th September 2017, 11:13 AM

Hussite etc.

Iain · 24th September 2017, 11:17 AM

Finally there is also the excellent ethnographic museum Martin mentioned, Náprstkovo. While this is not a particularly large museum they have regularly changing exhibits. The top floor also has a permanent exhibit from Australia and Oceania. This is a bit of an old fashioned display but has many cases dedicated to the islands of Oceania and includes many weapons. Just a few images below.

For all the images, my apologies for the less than stellar quality, lighting was not great!

silberschatzimsee · 24th September 2017, 07:13 PM

After reading this thread, i did not know that there was a arms museum in Krumau.

Its farely near to my house so i will check it out very soon.

Victrix · 23rd December 2018, 03:29 PM

I spent a few days in Prague to see the Christmas market. I took the opportunity to visit the Imperial Armoury. It’s well worth a visit when in Prague. It was difficult to find. It’s next (not inside) to the Castle at a square ouside the Western gate. It’s situated in the attic of the Czech National Gallery (a.k.a. Schwarzenberg palace). You take the elevator to the top floor and ask an attendant for the Imperial Armoury and they will point to an unmarked door behind which is a staircase to the attic.

The exhibition is not very big but good. I did not spot any items from Wagner’s Cut and Thrust Weapons and did not see any swords with notches at the tips. The Military Museum was closed for refurbishment.

6th July 2015, 05:10 PM	#1
Martin Lubojacky Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Czech Republic Posts: 841	Recommendation to the visitors of Prague Imperial Armoury in Schwarzenberg Palace Attached Images

24th September 2017, 11:10 AM	#8
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,693	I thought I'd bring this topic back to life for a bit. The Schwarzenberg Palace armoury is still around and of course a wonderful gallery. However there are a few other places off the beaten track worth seeking out. I recently had a free day to make a few museum visits. First of all The City of Prague Museum, this one isn't as well trafficked as the national museum network, but it has some wonderful exhibits detailing the history of Prague. Part of that includes arms and armour artifacts. A few selections below including an exceptional bronze sword, early iron swords and spears, 13th century swords and axes and Hussite arms as well as an early bronze hand cannon. Attached Images

24th September 2017, 11:12 AM	#9
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,693	Rest of the images. Attached Images

24th September 2017, 11:13 AM	#10
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,693	Hussite etc. Attached Images

24th September 2017, 11:17 AM	#11
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,693	Finally there is also the excellent ethnographic museum Martin mentioned, Náprstkovo. While this is not a particularly large museum they have regularly changing exhibits. The top floor also has a permanent exhibit from Australia and Oceania. This is a bit of an old fashioned display but has many cases dedicated to the islands of Oceania and includes many weapons. Just a few images below. For all the images, my apologies for the less than stellar quality, lighting was not great! Attached Images

6th July 2015, 05:40 PM	#2
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Excelent ... and tempting. Thanks Martin

7th July 2015, 12:03 AM	#3
CSinTX Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Posts: 233	Thanks for the info! My wife and I are considering a trip to Prague next spring. I searched for arms museums but hadn't been able to come up with anything. We will have to make this one of our stops. We are thinking of finishing our trip with a couple days in either Cesky Krumlov or Karlovy Vary. Would you know if either of them have anything arms and armour related? Thanks, Casey

8th July 2015, 12:21 AM	#4
Martin Lubojacky Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Czech Republic Posts: 841	Thanks Fernando. Dear Casey, in Český Krumlov you will find something here: http://www.zamek-ceskykrumlov.eu/tou...castle-museum/. (look at 8.10 Armoury). Karlovy vary is a town of spas, glassworks, film festival and Russian tourists. Weapons would be in the castles of West Bohemia, I do not know if there is something directly in the city. In Prague you could also visit Military History Museum and Náprstkovo museum (http://www.nm.cz/Naprstek-Museum/). Nevertheless, as far as weapons in Náprstek Museum are concerned, there is only stable exhibition of American Indians ans Pacific weapons. Others, like e.g. Africa, are in deposits and they display it from time to time ---- Regards, Martin

12th July 2015, 03:00 PM	#5
ChrisPer Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 35	I highly recommend Ceske Krumlov. The arms collection is very pleasing with matchlocks, wheellocks, Turkish arms and also a room of minting tools and you are allowed to photograph and take your time going through. Several cannon associated with the castle since the Thirty Years War are sheltered under a verandah. In Prague Castle's Golden Lane is a display of armour that I think must be leftovers from the movies, but I could be wrong. The Lobkowitz palace in Prague Castle has a lovely display of arms, and there is another in their castle at Nelahozeves. The amazing residence of Franz Ferdinand at Konopiste has the best of all, a huge collection of fascinating arms (plus his truly ridiculous amount of hunting trophies). But sadly these last two collections are guided tours only; you are herded into a room, it is discussed for five minutes, then the party is herded into the next room and the door locked behind. No photography at any of them. I missed the museum of military history, but we were walking along the river when I realised I was looking at the massive brick faced bastion of a star fort. And I was looking for cannon, but saw almost none except smaller privately held ones. I will post some pics later.

13th July 2015, 09:44 PM	#6
broadaxe Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 332	The Imperial Armoury in Schwarzenberg Palace is absolutely fantastic! I was there just after the renovation, a few years ago. Make sure you find it, because the entrance to the exhibition is hidden behind a closed door and one must climb up.

24th September 2017, 07:13 PM	#12
silberschatzimsee Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Posts: 90	After reading this thread, i did not know that there was a arms museum in Krumau. Its farely near to my house so i will check it out very soon.

23rd December 2018, 03:29 PM	#13
Victrix Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Sweden Posts: 713	I spent a few days in Prague to see the Christmas market. I took the opportunity to visit the Imperial Armoury. It’s well worth a visit when in Prague. It was difficult to find. It’s next (not inside) to the Castle at a square ouside the Western gate. It’s situated in the attic of the Czech National Gallery (a.k.a. Schwarzenberg palace). You take the elevator to the top floor and ask an attendant for the Imperial Armoury and they will point to an unmarked door behind which is a staircase to the attic. The exhibition is not very big but good. I did not spot any items from Wagner’s Cut and Thrust Weapons and did not see any swords with notches at the tips. The Military Museum was closed for refurbishment. Attached Images