Pražákův palác

Pražákův palác is one of six buildings belonging to the Moravian Gallery in Brno and the seat of its management — a Neo-Renaissance palace on Husova street, a short walk from the historic center of the city.

What's the story behind the building?

The palace was built in 1873–1874 as an apartment house commissioned by the politician Alois Pražák, whose name it still carries. The architect behind it was Theophil von Hansen, who also designed the neighboring Besední dům, giving the two buildings a shared, stately presence on one of the main streets running through Brno's center. The facade's defining feature is a heavy, sculpted cornice that wraps around the entire top of the building; combined with the flat roof, it gives the palace the look of a Tuscan city palazzo — a reference Hansen clearly had in mind when designing it.

After 1948 the building passed into state hands, and in 1985 it was taken over by the Moravian Gallery. Its real transformation came at the turn of the 1990s, when the interiors were rebuilt between 1990 and 1994 under a project by Zdeněk Michal and Jiří Kopřiva to suit gallery use. A further wave of renovation began in 2013 and wrapped up in 2015 with a large project called "ART IS HERE," which reshaped how the collection is presented to visitors.

What will you find inside?

The permanent exhibition at Pražákův palác focuses on art from the 20th century to the present day, split into two parts — "ART IS HERE: Modern Art" and "ART IS HERE: New Art" — connected by an unusual feature: a slide linking the two floors, which is an attraction in its own right, especially for younger visitors. Alongside the permanent displays, the palace regularly hosts short-term exhibition projects.

The building opens onto a courtyard with a sculpture garden and the PRAHA café, a good spot to pause between galleries. Inside you'll also find a specialist art library with a reading room, an open collection depository, a bookshop, and a play area for children, which makes the palace a reasonable stop for families too.

How do you get there?

The palace stands at Husova 535/18 in central Brno, right next to Besední dům. It's an easy walk from náměstí Svobody (Freedom Square) — just a few minutes — and it's also reachable on foot or by tram from Brno's main railway station.

When should you visit?

Pražákův palác is open Wednesday to Sunday, 10:00–18:00, and until 19:00 on Thursdays. It's closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, so it's worth planning a visit for the middle or end of the week. Admission to the permanent exhibitions is by voluntary donation, which makes it an easy addition to a Brno itinerary even on a short visit.

Frequently asked questions

Is Pražákův palác a museum or an art gallery? It's one of the branches of the Moravian Gallery in Brno, an institution dedicated to art and design, and it also houses the gallery's management.

How long should you plan for a visit? Allow 1–2 hours to see both permanent exhibitions at a comfortable pace, more if a temporary show is running at the same time.

Is entry paid? Admission to the permanent exhibitions works on a voluntary-donation basis — visitors decide how much to pay.

Is it suitable for children? Yes — besides the contemporary art on display, the palace has a children's play area and the unusual slide connecting the exhibition floors, which tends to go down well with younger visitors.