Josef Sudek Gallery

Josef Sudek Gallery is a small, quiet exhibition space in Prague, tucked into a house on Úvoz street in the Hradčany district, just below Prague Castle. It was in this modest wooden house surrounded by a garden that the celebrated Czech photographer Josef Sudek lived from 1959 until his death in 1976. Today the building is administered by the Museum of Decorative Arts in Prague (UPM), and the gallery hosts photography exhibitions — not only of Sudek's own work but also of other artists connected to Czech photography.

How do you get to the Josef Sudek Gallery?

The gallery sits at Úvoz 24 in Prague 1, along the route linking Malá Strana with Hradčany. The easiest approach is on foot from the Pohořelec tram stop (lines 22 and 23) — a few minutes' walk down a steep, picturesque street. Visitors can also reach it by descending Úvoz from Prague Castle, making it a natural stop after touring the castle hill. The surrounding area is one of the most atmospheric parts of Prague, with views over the rooftops of Malá Strana and the city's towers.

What can you see inside?

The gallery occupies a small wooden pavilion in the garden next to the house where Sudek lived and worked during the final decades of his life. The exhibition space is intimate — this isn't a large museum institution but a focused venue dedicated to photography and the legacy of an artist famous for melancholic, atmospheric images of Prague, still lifes, and the surroundings of his own home. The exhibitions rotate periodically, showing both Sudek's own photographs and works by other photographers whose style resonates with his. Part of Sudek's photographic estate was transferred to the museum's collections between 1978 and 1988, and since 1989 the institution has also administered his former flat — the gallery in its current form has operated since 1995.

Who was Josef Sudek?

Josef Sudek (1896–1976) is one of the most important Czech photographers of the 20th century, known for black-and-white images rich in light and shadow, many of them shot through the window of his own studio. Besides the house in Hradčany, he also kept a studio at Na Újezdu 28 in Malá Strana, which he continued using for his photographic work even after moving to the castle hill. It was there that his sister and assistant, Božena Sudková, lived and helped him with his craft. Together, the two sites — the house-turned-gallery in Hradčany and the former studio in Malá Strana — form a kind of trail through the artist's footsteps across historic Prague.

When should you visit, and how much does it cost?

The gallery is open seasonally and only a few days a week, so it's worth planning ahead. From October to March it opens Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday, 11:00–17:00; from April to September, the same days but 12:00–18:00. Admission is symbolic — full price is 20 Czech crowns, reduced 10 crowns, making it one of the most affordable cultural stops in central Prague. Given its small size, a visit typically takes 20 to 40 minutes, so it works well as a quick stop on the way between Prague Castle and Malá Strana.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Josef Sudek Gallery the same as his studio? Not quite. The gallery occupies the house in Hradčany where Sudek lived from 1959 until his death. His actual photographic studio was located at Na Újezdu 28 in Malá Strana, and that's where he kept working even after relocating to the castle hill.

Do I need to book tickets in advance? No, tickets are bought on site — prices are low (20/10 crowns) and the gallery is small enough that queues are rarely an issue.

How long does a visit take? Because the exhibition space is compact, 20 to 40 minutes is usually enough, making it easy to combine with a walk around Hradčany.

Is the gallery open every day? No — it's only open Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday, with hours depending on the season (11:00–17:00 in winter, 12:00–18:00 in summer), so check the days before you go.