Hrdlicka Museum of Man

The Hrdlička Museum of Man is a small but content-dense anthropological museum in Prague 2, run by the Faculty of Science at Charles University. It's a place for travelers who want to encounter human history through actual skeletons, skulls and mummies rather than just wall text.

Where is it and how do you get there?

The museum sits at Viničná 1594/7 in Prague 2, inside a building belonging to Charles University's Faculty of Science. This is university-campus territory between the New Town and Vinohrady districts, an easy add-on if you're already exploring that part of the city. The most convenient approach is by tram or metro to the stops near the Charles University Botanical Garden, followed by a short walk.

What will you actually see inside?

The permanent exhibition holds over 4,000 items grouped around several themes: human evolution, individual development (ontogenesis), human variability, and pathology and death. Among the highlights are Egyptian mummies and skulls showing clear signs of trepanation — one of the earliest known surgical procedures, already practiced in prehistoric times. This part of the collection tends to draw the most attention from visitors, since it shows that deliberate intervention on the human skull is far from a modern medical invention.

The museum was founded in 1937 by Aleš Hrdlička, a Czech-born American anthropologist who built his career studying human variation and evolution. For decades the collection has doubled as teaching material — a visit here has long been a standard part of biology education in Czech primary and secondary schools, as well as at universities.

When should you go, and how do you book a visit?

This isn't a museum you can walk into off the street. Visits take place on weekdays between 9:00 and 15:00, strictly by prior arrangement — either by email (hmc@natur.cuni.cz) or through the online booking form on the museum's website. Groups are typically limited to 6–10 people, which makes for a small, guided visit rather than a mass-tourism experience. It's worth booking a few days ahead, especially during the tourist season or around Prague Museum Night, when interest picks up noticeably.

How much does it cost, and in what language?

A guided tour in English costs 200 CZK per person, payable in cash on site only. That setup is typical of smaller, university-run museums that aren't built for high visitor volume but instead prioritize the quality of the explanation and direct contact with a guide — often a researcher from the faculty itself.

Who is this museum for?

It suits travelers interested in anthropology, the history of medicine, archaeology, or simply anyone looking for something beyond the usual castle–bridge–old town circuit in Prague. Given the subject matter — skeletons, mummies, evidence of disease and surgery — it isn't necessarily the best fit for very young children, though older school-age groups visit regularly as part of their curriculum.

Frequently asked questions

Can I just show up without booking in advance? No. Visits are only possible by prior arrangement — by email or via the online form — on weekdays between 9:00 and 15:00.

How much does admission cost? An English-language guided tour costs 200 CZK per person, paid in cash at the museum.

What's actually in the collection? Over 4,000 items covering human evolution and development, including Egyptian mummies and skulls with visible traces of prehistoric trepanation.

Who founded the museum, and why does it carry that name? It was founded in 1937 by Aleš Hrdlička, a Czech-born American anthropologist, after whom the museum is named.