Museum of Decorative Arts, Prague

Since its establishment in 1885 until the conclusion of the First Republic era, the Museum of Decorative Arts (known as UPM) served as a repository for the finest contributions of the Czech modern movement, spanning from Art Nouveau to avant-garde expressions, resulting in an unparalleled collection. Adorned with intricate mosaics, stained glass, and sculptures, the building itself is a testament to artistic craftsmanship, while its ground-floor temporary exhibitions consistently impress.

In recent times, the museum has undergone extensive reconstruction, resulting in the temporary closure of its exhibitions during the renovation period. The primary goal was to refine the curation of its collections, which encompass textiles and lavishly embroidered religious vestments from the 15th to the 18th centuries, lacework from various eras, costumes spanning three centuries, and remarkable displays of glass, ceramics, and pottery—often regarded as the highlight of the museum. Additionally, visitors can explore exhibits featuring furniture, jewelry, curiosities, Czech photography, interwar prints, works by Josef Sudek, avant-garde graphics by Karel Teige, book designs by Josef Váchal, and some of Alfons Mucha's iconic turn-of-the-20th-century Parisian advertising posters.

Tip:
Don't miss the superb design-oriented gift shop and the excellent café, popular among local artists, for a well-rounded experience.