The Army Museum on Vítkov will close next week until 2020

photo: Military Historical Institute Prague

Prague - The historic building of the army museum in Prague's Žižkov district will be closed to the public starting next week until 2020. The reason is a planned complete reconstruction, which will cost approximately 600 million crowns. CTK was informed of this today by the spokesperson of the Military Historical Institute (VHÚ), Andrej Halada. This will be the first reconstruction of the museum in its nearly ninety-year history.

The complex of buildings at the foot of Vítkov Hill was constructed at the end of the 1920s. The VHÚ has been warning about the necessity of repairs for several years. It was originally planned that the renovated museum could open already in 2014 during the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War. However, the plans have been postponed until this year.

During the reconstruction, the exhibition spaces will be significantly expanded. In addition to the current two floors with exhibits, extensive spaces in the basement, in former storage rooms, and in areas of the former library will be made accessible. The museum courtyard is also set to be roofed. According to Halada, the VHÚ, which encompasses the Žižkov museum, will thus gain a truly generous and modern space for its rich collections.

After the planned reopening in 2020, the exhibitions will focus on the history of the military, emphasizing the Czech area from the earliest times to the present. All key stages of history will be represented. The existing main exhibitions have only addressed the period from 1914 to 1945.

This week is thus the last opportunity for a long time for people to visit the museum. It will be open until Sunday, including both national holidays. Opening hours are from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and admission is free. "The museum currently has the ground floor open with an exhibition dedicated to the First World War and the establishment of Czechoslovakia in 1918. The exhibition In the Trenches of the First World War is also accessible. The exhibition In the Streets of the Protectorate of Böhmen und Mähren is also open," added Halada.

The mission of the VHÚ is to collect written and material monuments related to the history of the Czechoslovak and Czech army and military affairs. It exhibits artifacts and simultaneously publishes historical works related to military history. In addition to the museum in Žižkov, it exhibits at the Aviation Museum in Kbely and the Military Technical Museum in Lešany, where it also has extensive storage facilities.