The Bedřich Smetany Museum or simply the Smetany Museum (Muzeum Bedřicha Smetany) is a museum in Prague dedicated to the life and work of the famous Czech composer Bedřich Smetany (1824-1884).
The museum is located in the historical center of Prague - in the Old Town (Staré Město), in a small block of buildings near the waters of the Vltava River, which is in close proximity to the famous Charles Bridge (Karlów most).
View from the Charles Bridge to the Vltava River and the Smetana Bedrzykh Museum (left)
The museum building was built in 1883-1884 by the Czech architect Antonin Wil and previously belonged to the Prague Water Company (it was a water station), and since 1936 the Sour Cream Museum has been housed within its walls.
The museum building has a beautiful neo-Renaissance look. The facade is decorated with murals by Mikolash Alyosha and Frantisek Zhenishek, made in the sgraffito technique, thanks to which the building of the Smetana Museum is one of the most beautiful neo-Renaissance buildings in Prague.
In front of the museum there is a monument to Bedrzykh Smetana by sculptor Josef Malejowski.
There is an observation deck near the museum, which offers beautiful views of the Vltava River with bridges and the historical district on the opposite bank of the river - Mala Strana.
The museum's exhibition tells about the life and work of the leading Czech composer Bedřich Smetana.
Museum exhibits include Smetana's personal belongings, copies of letters, photographs and newspaper clippings concerning Smetana's life, as well as various items, including his ear (Smetana suffered from deafness). The music stands also have folders with materials about some of the most famous works of Sour Cream.
The museum visitor can listen to excerpts from the composer's works.
Practical information
Entrance to the museum of Bedrzhiha Smetana is paid. There are guided tours of the museum.
Tickets to the museum can be purchased at the museum ticket office or online.
The Museum of Bedrzhiha Smetana is part of the National Museum of Prague (Narodni muzeum Praha).
Museum website: bedrich-smetana-museum.
The address of the Museum of Bedřich Smetana: Novotného lávka 1, 110 00 Praha 1.
Coordinates of the Smetana Bedřich Museum: 50°05'07.0"N 14°24'46.0"E (50.085278, 14.412778).
All accommodation facilities in Prague (hotels, apartments, guest houses, etc.), including in the historical center of the city and more remotely from it, can be viewed and booked here
