10 Unusual Museums in Prague

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Prague, an enticing city of high culture, also has a range of unexpected museums around every street corner. Whether you're looking for toys, army uniforms, puppets, art galleries or absinthe, there is a way to see everything. Here is a roundup of ten of the more unusual ones worth looking out for on a visit.

1.) What city is complete with its own fair share of ghost tales? Prague dedicates a whole (if small) museum ghosts and legends . An underground 'street of ghosts' lies under the ground floor interactive legends section. It's not perhaps Prague's finest museum, but as an amusing way to enter into the Old Town spirit, it might be worth a stop off.



2.) If the special effects of the ghosts left you feeling underwhelmed, head to the specialist film special effects museum to feast your eyes. Dedicated to the work of the 20th century cinematographer Karel Zeman, the museum showcases a range of video clips and interactive experiences to highlight his amazing work.



3.) Having feasted your eyes, move on to find more amusement for your ears with the musical instruments museum. Built in a beautiful Baroque former church, the museum houses exhibitions of instruments through the ages. It is part of the city's National Museum collection.



4.) From the glories of music to the ghastliness of torture, over by the Charles Bridge is a very different kind of instrumental homage. The Museum of Torture features over a hundred items, made even more gruesome by the use of waxworks to bring their uses to life. Not quite the London Dungeons, but very disturbing in its own way.



5.) If torture leaves you freaked out, try letting your head get around one of Prague's most famous residents, the surrealist Franz Kafka . Kafka was heavily influenced by his surroundings (living in the castle compound for some time) and the two-part exhibition celebrates this, with areas on areas on existential space and imaginary topography.



6.) Inspired, or perhaps just confused by Kafka, you can continue your surrealist journey with a whole gallery dedicated to the movement of which he was a part. At the time of writing the museum is temporarily closed, but hopefully it will form part of any art lover's itinerary again soon.



7.) From surrealism to another -ism, Prague also boasts a Museum of Communism , commemorating the influence that political movement had on the city. The physical remains of the ideology that shaped Czechoslovakia are displayed over three rooms: Communism The Dream, The Reality and The Nightmare. There is also a projection room with regular short film screenings. Amusingly, it is also situated above that bastion of capitalism, McDonald's.



8.) If that is a bit dismal, then off the main square in the Old Town is something completely different, and for adults only. The Museum of Sex Machines includes exhibitions of sex toys, as well as an erotic cinema, all housed in a vivid 'lipstick red' environment.



9.) Heading back to something more sedate, to complement the individual waxworks seen in other museums, try the Grevin Museum , which is dedicated to this form. Imitations of famous people are arranged in 'worlds' to give them a context. Pose with your favourite celebrity, and find out more about the art of waxworks too.



10.) If all the sightseeing has made you hungry, why not finish with the Choco-Story Museum . A huge shop and cafe lies under a museum which teaches you about the origins and manufacture of chocolate, as well as its cultural value and packaging. You can even have a go at making your own slabs (for a small extra fee). Plenty of tasting opportunities are available!



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