Wenceslas Square and the National Museum — Prague
From the Mucha Museum, we made our way through Wenceslas Square and up to the National Museum. It is stunning and accessible!
Wenceslas Square
Wenceslas Square (Václavské náměstí) is one of Prague’s most historically significant public spaces. Rather than a traditional square, it is a long, wide boulevard — more of a promenade — running roughly a half mile through the center of the New Town. It has been the site of many important moments in Czech history, including demonstrations during the 1968 Warsaw Pact invasion and the 1989 Velvet Revolution, which peacefully ended communist rule. Today it serves as a main commercial and transit corridor through the city.
The square is busy and touristy, but it is worth moving through at your own pace. At the top (upper end) of the square stands the iconic equestrian statue of Saint Wenceslas, the patron saint of Bohemia. It is a natural gathering point and a good landmark to orient yourself. From there, the National Museum is immediately visible at the top of the hill.
Accessibility note: Wenceslas Square is largely flat and paved, making it manageable for wheelchair users and scooters. Some stretches of older paving near the sides can be uneven, so the center lanes tend to be smoother going.
The National Museum
The National Museum (Národní muzeum) sits at the very top of Wenceslas Square. The main Historical Building is a grand 19th-century neo-Renaissance structure — and if it looks familiar to film fans, you may recognize it from Mission: Impossible.
Finding the Accessible Entrance
This is the most important thing to know before you go: the accessible entrance is not through the main front doors of the Historical Building—this is up a steep driveway and then ends in stairs. The accessible entrance is through the large modern glass building immediately to the left as you face the front of the museum. This is the New Building (Nová budova), which many visitors assume is a separate attraction or children’s museum. It is not — it is the primary entrance for all visitors purchasing tickets, and it is the accessible route into the main museum.
Here is how it works:
- Enter the New Building through the glass entrance on the left.
- Purchase your tickets inside. Persons with severe disabilities (with a valid disability ID) are admitted free of charge, and one accompanying person is also admitted free. Bring your disability documentation.
- Take the connecting tunnel from the New Building to the Historical Building. The tunnel is smooth, level, and includes an art exhibit along the way — a nice bonus in itself. We saw a video graphic on the history of Prague.
- Use the elevators inside the Historical Building to access the various floors.
Barrier-free access to the Historical Building leads through the visitor entrance of the New Building, the café, and the connecting passageway. There are wheelchair-accessible lifts on both sides of the exit from the connecting corridor in the Historical Building. Wheelchair rentals are also available at the cloakrooms of both buildings.
Inside the Museum
The interior of the Historical Building is worth the visit. The central atrium and ceremonial halls are architecturally striking — high ceilings, grand staircases, and ornate detailing throughout. The accessible route via elevator means you can reach all the main exhibition floors without issue.
Plan on at least two to three hours if you want to take in the main collections. The museum covers Czech natural history, archaeology, and cultural heritage across multiple floors.
For full ticket pricing and current accessibility details, visit the National Museum’s official website.