National Technical Museum (Prague)
Encyclopedia
The National Technical Museum in Prague
is the largest institution dedicated to preserving information and artifacts related to the history of technology in the Czech Republic
. The museum
was founded in 1908 and has been in its current location (adjacent to Letná Park
) since 1941. The museum has large exhibits representing approximately 15% of its total collection. The museum also manages substantial archives consisting of approximately 3,500 linear shelf meters of archival material and about 250,000 books.
In 2001 the museum opened a Railroad Museum that contains about 100 railway vehicles.
The 2002 European floods
caused damage to some 200 cubic metres of documents at the museum - in a location separate to the main building. Work involved in drying and restoring the materials is expected to continue until 2013.
The National Technical Museum was closed in September 2006 for extensive renovations. Reopening was at first scheduled for February 2008, and eventually took place in February 2011.
donated the aircraft, with which he had flown his flight from Pardubice to Velká Chuchle in 1911, to the National Technical Museum in Prague. The aeroplane is still on display at the museum.
Prague
Prague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. Situated in the north-west of the country on the Vltava river, the city is home to about 1.3 million people, while its metropolitan area is estimated to have a population of over 2.3 million...
is the largest institution dedicated to preserving information and artifacts related to the history of technology in the Czech Republic
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west and northwest....
. The museum
Museum
A museum is an institution that cares for a collection of artifacts and other objects of scientific, artistic, cultural, or historical importance and makes them available for public viewing through exhibits that may be permanent or temporary. Most large museums are located in major cities...
was founded in 1908 and has been in its current location (adjacent to Letná Park
Letna Park
Letná Park is a large park built on a plateau above steep embankments along the Vltava River in Prague, Czech Republic called Letná. Letná's elevation and location afford commanding views of the Prague Old Town ....
) since 1941. The museum has large exhibits representing approximately 15% of its total collection. The museum also manages substantial archives consisting of approximately 3,500 linear shelf meters of archival material and about 250,000 books.
In 2001 the museum opened a Railroad Museum that contains about 100 railway vehicles.
The 2002 European floods
2002 European floods
In August 2002 a 100-year flood caused by over a week of continuous heavy rains ravaged Europe, killing dozens, dispossessing thousands, and causing damage of billions of euros in the Czech Republic, Austria, Germany, Slovakia, Poland, Hungary, Romania and Croatia....
caused damage to some 200 cubic metres of documents at the museum - in a location separate to the main building. Work involved in drying and restoring the materials is expected to continue until 2013.
The National Technical Museum was closed in September 2006 for extensive renovations. Reopening was at first scheduled for February 2008, and eventually took place in February 2011.
Significant exhibits
Jan KašparJan Kašpar
Jan Kašpar was a Czech aviator, aircraft constructor, designer and engineer. He is considered as a pioneer of aviation in the Czech lands.-Biography:...
donated the aircraft, with which he had flown his flight from Pardubice to Velká Chuchle in 1911, to the National Technical Museum in Prague. The aeroplane is still on display at the museum.