I had not heard of the Museum of Communism before my recent trip to Prague. Perhaps that it caught the attention of both my husband and I at the exact same time while on a brief visit to the tourist Information centre meant we were destined to go and visit. Even more conveniently, the Museum was situated on the same road as our hotel and a mere five minute walk away. It also has great opening hours, meaning a visit is possible in the early evening. Finally the irony of the fact that they give their directions as being sandwiched in between a McDonaldsrestaurant and a Casino was not lost on us. It was not however in our DK guide book of the city, and so is one of those places that could easily be overlooked.
Prague was, in fact, under communist rule until relatively recent times - 1989. Most of us can remember the fall of the Berlin Wall but I have to admit I struggle to remember news coverage of events in Prague at the same time. The Velvet Revolution and the return of power did go relatively smoothly, all things considered, and perhaps that has contributed to my loss of memory.
The purpose of the museum is to portray an insight into life during the period of occupation, which lasted from just after the second world war until that day in 1989. Admission costs an affordable 180 CZK which is a fraction over £1 and is good value for money given the information and artefacts it contains.
As my title suggests - the main theme of the museum is to portray Communism - as the Dream, The Reality, and the Nightmares. While there are plenty of posters, artefacts and objects from the period, most of the displays provide information to the visitor (in several languages) and the museum starts with the theories of Communism per the Marx period (The dream), before moving into the reality by showing aspects of every day life and finally the nightmare that was communism.
Regardless of any regime, city life must go on, and the museum offers an insight into the various aspects of that life, including sport, politics, schooling, media propoganda and censorship. There is a small area which shows a video of footage from the period, showing the struggles and the sacrifices as the people of Prague fought against the regime.
There is no particular political slant to the museum, or not one that is immediately apparent - it is simply there as a collection of objects and information from which the visitor can form their own impression of life in the city during this period.
It's perhaps not the most exciting museum although I personally enjoyed the aspects which relate much to every day life. A visit would take no more than perhaps one hour, and for anyone visiting the city and wanting to learn more about its political and social history, then it is extremely worthwhile to visit
Museum of Communism Na Prikope 10 110 00, Prague 1 Czech Republic
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