This is my guide to the Cubist Museum Prague. It’s one of Prague’s top niche museums and has one of our favourite and best historic cafes upstairs.
The fantastic array of Prague architecture is one of the main reasons visitors flock to the Czech capital.
Old Town Prague is best known for its skyline of Gothic spires and Baroque domes, but it hides one of the most fascinating – and beautiful – Prague buildings, the House of the Black Madonna.
This is home to one of the best niche museums in Prague, the Czech Cubism Museum, also known as the Cubist Museum Prague. Read on for our guide to visiting this excellent museum.
What is Cubism ?
Cubism is an early 20th century art movement with its roots in Paris. Cubist art is world-famous, thanks mainly to one of its earliest exponents, Pablo Picasso.
His works from this period, including Ma Jolie (1912) and Girl With Mandolin, are excellent examples of Cubist painting.
Cubism’s influence extended beyond visual art. The ballet Parade, written by Jean Cocteau and scored by Erik Satie, incorporates Cubist elements.
These include the distinctive costumes and the addition of ‘non-musical’ sounds. Sounds such as sirens and whistles overlay the conventional score. – this clip of Parade still looks and sounds avant-garde, over a century on.
Cubism Characteristics
Cubism in art is characterized by abstract and geometrical shapes and forms. In some of Picasso’s paintings, figures are a series of shapes, like the Čapek painting above.
This went on to influence other aspects of contemporary design, with shapes including triangles, hexagons and octagons and diamonds coming to the fore.
You can see these shapes in places as varied as the lights in the restaurant of the Black Madonna Prague to jewellery in the Cubist shop on the ground floor of the same building to the Cubist lamp post nearby on Jungmannovo namesti.
These geometrical shapes were incorporated into building design. Facades were no longer flat as they were in Art Nouveau. They became more dynamic and three-dimensional, with half-diamond decorations above and below windows.
Indeed, windows would now change shape altogether, from flat to three-dimensional, geometric bay windows in different shapes, like the Vila Kovaricova in Vysehrad.
Cubism Architecture
Cubist architecture never really gained much traction beyond Prague and what is now the Czech Republic. The original burst of Prague Cubist architecture lasted just three years, from 1911 until the outbreak of World War I in 1914.
This also put an end to the Prague Art Nouveau era. However, the legacy of Art Nouveau Prague is richer and more widespread as it had a head start of almost twenty years.
I’ve traversed and trekked most of Prague many times over, and have come across between 10 and 20 Cubist buildings around the city.
There are several Cubist villas by prominent Czech architect Josef Chochol, around the base of Vysehrad Castle, Prague which you can only see from the outside, and our article on Vysehrad Prague gives more information on this.
After the First World War, the Cubist architectural style in its original form wasn’t revisited. However, two styles were greatly influenced by it – the Czech Rondo-Cubist style and Art Deco, the latter with its straight geometric lines and angular shapes.
What is there to see at the Cubist Museum Prague ?
The exhibition at the Prague Cubism Museum is spread over two floors (the second and third) of the House of the Black Madonna.
It’s dedicated to telling the story of Prague Cubism, and the brief flowering of this unique Prague architecture style.
It’s quite a small exhibition, but I found it packed with interest.
Some of the Cubist furniture on display is absolutely exquisite, with Cubist chairs, Cubist cabinets, Cubist closets, a Cubist sofa, and some Czech Cubist art, including paintings by Josef Čapek and sculpture by Otto Gutfreund.
The building itself is possibly the best example of Cubism in architecture. It was designed by architect Josef Gočar, and it was originally a department store.
My personal highlight is the beautiful staircase at the back of the building, which looks best from the fourth floor, down towards the ground. It has a beautiful abstract quality, with a lightbulb shape between the handrails.
What about the Cubist Cafe Prague ?
The Grand Café Orient claims to be the world’s only Cubist café, and I think it’s safe to say this claim stands up to scrutiny.
The café is on the first floor, and there’s also the Cerna Madona Cubism Restaurant on the ground floor, which has beautiful Cubist lighting and décor.
I was the first customer of the day at the Grand Café Orient, and enjoyed two very good coffees and a panino.
It was a bright summer morning, the sunlight flooding the interior, the food was good, nobody else was there and I had time to look around at all the details of the Cubist interior.
The Cubist lampshades and coat hooks are beautiful, and the service was impeccable.
Where is the Czech Museum of Cubism?
The House of the Black Madonna (Dum U Černy Matky Boži) is on the corner of Ovocny trh and Celetna, in the heart of Prague Old Town. Its website states that its address is Ovocny trh 19, Prague 1.
It’s at the opposite end of Ovocny trh form the Estates Theatre, one of the great landmarks of Prague. It’s also only a 3-4 minute walk from Prague Old Town Square along Celetna.
It’s also very close to one of the best towers in Prague, the late-medieval Powder Tower (Prašna Brana) and the stunning Art Nouveau Municipal House concert venue (Obecni dum) next door.
The nearest Metro stops are Namesti Republiky and Mustek, both of which are around a 5-minute walk away, on the yellow Line B.
Address: Ovocny trh 19, Prague 1.
Get directions: Open Map
How much are the tickets ?
150 CZK – around $7 US – for adults. The discounted rate is 80 CZK, which includes students up to the age of 26 and over-65s.
When is the Museum of Czech Cubism Open ?
It’s open 10.00 am to 7.00 pm Tuesdays and 10.00 am to 6.00 pm Wednesdays to Sundays.
The Museum is closed on Mondays.
Czech Museum of Cubism – our verdict
The Czech Cubist Museum is a great starting point for anyone new to Cubism and Cubist designs.
The House of the Black Madonna Prague is a wonderful setting, and the descriptions – in Czech and English – are very detailed and informative.
Its exhibits are superb, building up a picture of Cubism in the 1911-1914 period, with enough information for anyone interested to branch out on their own and seek out more of the Cubism around the Prague streets, particularly in Nove Mesto (New Town) and areas to the south of there.
I approached it from another angle, having seen most of the Cubist architecture Prague has before finally visiting the Cubism Museum. Nonetheless, visiting the Museum helped bring many different threads together.
It’s a wonderful introduction to a branch of Czech architecture and design many wouldn’t know exists. I’d go so far as to say that it’s one of the best museums in Prague – and certainly one of the best small Prague museums.
Cubist Museum Prague – Final Words
I hope you have found my review of the Museum of Czech Cubism in Prague helpful and informative.
I have lived in Prague for four years, and written many more guides on the city. The best place to begin is my guide to the best Things To Do In Prague, which gives you a great overview of the city – ideal for first-time visitors. Also see my guide to the best landmarks of Prague so you know all the main sights.
Don’t miss my guide to the most famous landmark in the city, the Charles Bridge Prague. It’s one of the most beautiful bridges in the world – just set your alarm early for sunrise to avoid the crowds!
Check out my guide to the sights along the Vltava River in Prague, exploring the sights along both sides of the River. And don’t miss my Prague area guides, including Old Town Prague, the stunning old heart of the city.
Don’t miss my guide to New Town Prague, the neighbouring district which is nearly as old. Take a look at my guide to Mala Strana Prague, the gorgeous area around the Hotel between the River and Prague Castle.
Check out more of my themed articles on places to visit in Prague. Don’t miss my guide to the best churches in Prague to visit, And don’t miss my guide to the most beautiful Prague streets. My guide to the best hidden gems in Prague reveals even more amazing places to seek out.
Also take a look at my guide to the best towers in Prague to visit. One of these, the Powder Tower (Prasna brana) is a two-minute walk away.
And finally, if you’re intrigued by Prague history, check out my guides to Communist Prague and Prague World War 2 Sites.
Read next:
- Art Nouveau Prague Guide
- A Guide to Prague Architecture
- 15 Amazing Prague Streets not to Miss
- A Guide to Old Town Prague – A Medieval Treasure Trove
- Telc, Czech Republic – A Medieval Gem
David Angel is a British photographer, writer and historian. He is a European travel expert with over 30 years’ experience exploring Europe. He has a degree in History from Manchester University, and his work is regularly featured in global media including the BBC, Condé Nast Traveler, The Guardian, The Times, and The Sunday Times. David is fluent in French and Welsh, and can also converse in Italian, German, Portuguese, Spanish, Czech and Polish.