Museum of Czech Puppets and Circus

The Museum of Czech Puppets and Circus is one of the most unusual attractions in Prachatice, a small town in South Bohemia known for its remarkably well-preserved medieval town centre. The museum occupies a historic burgher's house right on Velké náměstí, the town's main square, inside the protected old-town conservation zone, and is the only institution in the world combining puppetry history and circus art under one roof.

What will you see inside?

The exhibition is split into two distinct sections. The first traces the history of Czech puppet theatre, from the earliest travelling puppeteers through family and amateur companies to professional stages. Among the exhibits are marionettes created after designs by leading Czech artists Mikoláš Aleš, Vojtěch Sucharda, and Jiří Trnka, the latter famous for his puppet animation films. This part of the collection comes from the National Museum in Prague, which lent Prachatice a portion of its extensive puppet-theatre holdings.

The second section is a genuine rarity: the only museum in the Czech Republic dedicated entirely to circus art. Visitors can explore the history of Czech circuses and the traditions of travelling performance troupes through costumes, posters, props, and memorabilia from past performances. Bringing puppetry and circus together under one institution is unique worldwide, making the museum equally engaging for children and for adults interested in the history of performing arts.

How do you get there?

The museum sits directly on Velké náměstí, right in the heart of Prachatice's old town, so it is fully walkable once you reach the historic centre. A stroll through the surrounding square, lined with preserved burgher houses, makes a natural complement to the visit. Prachatice lies in South Bohemia near the Šumava mountains, making it a convenient base for exploring the wider region.

When should you visit?

The museum operates seasonally, opening from April to October, Tuesday through Sunday, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Outside this period it is generally closed to individual visitors, so it is worth checking current opening hours before planning a trip to Prachatice. Tickets can be bought online in advance or directly at the box office.

Why is it worth visiting?

The Museum of Czech Puppets and Circus offers a rare chance to see two seemingly distant, yet historically closely linked, folk entertainment traditions side by side: the travelling puppet theatre and the touring circus. For centuries both accompanied fairs and festivals across the Czech lands, and the museum presents this shared heritage in an accessible way. It is also a great opportunity to discover the achievements of the Czech puppetry school, widely regarded as one of the most important in Europe.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the museum located? It is housed in a historic building right on Velké náměstí, the main square in Prachatice's historic centre.

Is it the only museum of its kind in the Czech Republic? Yes, it is the only museum in the Czech Republic dedicated to circus art, and pairing it with a puppetry exhibition makes it unique worldwide.

When is the museum open? The visiting season runs from April to October, Tuesday to Sunday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Where do the puppetry exhibits come from? Part of the collection comes from the National Museum in Prague, including marionettes designed after works by Mikoláš Aleš, Vojtěch Sucharda, and Jiří Trnka.